Los Mujeres del Barro Rojo collective from San Marcos Tlapazola, Oaxaca, create beautiful decorative and practical ware made of barro rojo (red clay). In the 1980s, as industrialization crept in and slow-crafted, handmade pottery began to be replaced by cheaper materials, young artisans started to expand outside of the traditions of previous generations. The then 18-year-old Macrina began to travel outside the village to learn how to adapt their goods and practices to reach new markets interested in the history and distinct aesthetic of barro rojo.
The glossy exterior of these barro rojo pieces is achieved by a process known as burnishing. A thin layer of watered-down clay, known as ‘slip,’ is applied to the exterior. Then, the slip is thoroughly polished using stones, creating a high shine. Burnishing creates a beautiful shiny finish and at the same time a certain degree of water tightness.
Macrina and Los Mujeres del Barro Rojo create pots, fruit bowls, cups, sauceboats, lamps and vases.
