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Juan
Horta Castillo (1940 - 2006) Juan was the first artist I ever invited to attend Feria Maestros del Arte in 2001 and has attended every show since. His wife, Enedina, and two of their sons stayed in my home and we became fast friends over the last five years. Juan was something very special and I will miss his sparkling eyes and the huge bear hugs he would give me whenever I visited them in Tocuaro, Michoacán. One of the best traditional mask makers in Mexico was Juan Horta Castillo. He was one of the principal and most sought-after carvers from a famed mask-making village in Michoacán. Mask making has been a tradition for centuries in Mexico. During pre-Hispanic times the Aztecs used masks as part of their religious ceremonies. After the Spanish Conquest, Christian traditions were incorporated into the folk art of mask making. The art of mask making demonstrates imagination, fantasy, and great folk art decorative and creative talent. Mask making and dances for which they are used, are an integral part of indigenous Mexico and are handed down from generation to generation, and are a source of pride to individuals as well as to their communities. Juan has passed on his unique talents to his two sons, Manuel and Modesto. Their able hands will continue the Juan Horta legacy. If you are interested in purchasing work by the Horta family, please call Marianne Carlson at 011522 376 765 7485 or email mariannecarlson@gmail.com (Our thanks to Karen Henderson for the use of her photographs.) Horta
Masks for Sale To order email Marianne Carlson with description and quantity of the item/s you are interested in. Prices do not include shipping and are subject to change depending on availability. |
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$400 plus shipping |
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$350 plus shipping Click on the photo to see a larger version. |
$400 plus shipping |
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 Devil
Mask18"H x 11"W $300 plus shipping |
$450 each plus shipping |
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$400 plus shipping |
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$275 each plus shipping |
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$275 each plus shipping |
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(Our thanks to Karen Henderson and Norm Tihor for the use of his photographs)
On
December 19, 2006, Mexico lost a great artist and an even finer human
being. Juan Horta Castillo, a good friend and one of the finest artisans
in Mexico passed away of a heart attack.
Juan
exhibited his handicraft throughout Mexico and the United States. His
masks were selected by the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, and are
featured in their worldwide performances. He was also a multiple first
prizewinner of Mexico’s National Mask Maker competition. El
Museo de la Mascara (The Mask Museum) in San Luis Potosi, Mexico,
exhibits his masks as part of their permanent collection. Don Juan has
also been a featured artist at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field
Museum of Natural History, Brown University and numerous colleges, schools
and cultural centers throughout the United States.
Juan
worked primarily in wood, usually painting and lacquering the finished
mask. He carved fantastic devil and duality masks, which are constantly
varied. He resided in Michoacán with his wife, Enedina, and five
children.
In
the past, masks were worn in ritual dances and used by the dancers to
represent persons or animals; the dance’s purpose was to tell a
story in which the desired result was achieved through the magic of imitation.
Masks are usually made of wood, with leather, bone, and often with genuine
hair and teeth. They may also be fashioned from other materials such as
animal shells and tin. The masks can be painted, lacquered, or left in
a natural state. 
