Lydia Quezada is the youngest of maestro Juan
Quezada's eight brothers and sisters. Juan Quezada says that of
his many students, Lydia is the best. She is clearly a world-class
ceramic artist in her own right.
Lydia learned her signature black-on-black
techniques from renowned Native American potter, Maria Martinez.
Lydia's work is further characterized by symmetry of design, high
contrasts and superb polishing. Unlike many potters, Lydia enjoys
the polishing portion of potmaking and says that it's her favorite
part of the process.
In our documentary video, "Mata
Ortiz Pottery: An Inside Look," Lydia eloquently discusses
her art form and culture. "I feel that the ancient potters
were trying to give us a message. In each one of their pieces
there was a message. My brother, Juan, was then able to take
that tradition and make it flower again. And my major contribution
is to make a better piece each day. Pottery is a work that is
of value to the whole family; people are teaching their children
a skill for the future."
