José Sagrario Pérez
Pamatz
Jesús Pérez Ornelas
Napoleón Pérez Pamatz
Copper
Jesús
Pérez Ornelas, Pepe (José) Sagrario Pérez Pamatz,
and Napoleón Pérez Pamatz all have devoted their lives to
the artistry of working with copper. Jesús is featured in the book
“Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art” which claims he is the
indisputable master of engraving and graffito, famous for the
beauty of his designs and the excellent quality of his finishing.
Like most other copper
artists, the Pérez family works in his home, in a roofed, open
area with adequate ventilation. Their forge sits on the ground in a shallow
depression. He heats the metal by burning briquettes of pine; the flames
are fed by a traditional bellows.
Once the copper is
red hot, is it is removed with large tongs and the process of shaping
the piece begins. With vigorous, yet never imprecise blows from a hammer,
each man meticulously works on creating a work of art from the crude looking
metal. Blow by blow, the piece takes shape.
Next,
the piece is polished then engraving and embossing the delicate motifs
that characterize their work begins. Each piece is almost completely covered
with animals, various shapes, flowers or whatever design the client may
desire. The last step is a bath of sulfuric acid rubbed with steel wool
dipped in soap and water, with one last polishing afterward.
The
work of the Pérez family is Mexcian folk art at its finest. Each
piece is handmade and can take weeks before it is finished. Often people
remark as to the cost of hammered copper - this is one reason why. Yes,
you might find less expensive copper work but it will never be
of the high quality produced by the Pérez family.
2006
was the first year the Pérez family has attended Feria Maestros
del Arte. Their work was well received and they will be joining the Feria
again in 2007.
If you are interested
in purchasing the folk art of the Perez family, call Marianne Carlson
at 011522 376 765 7485 or
email mariannecarlson@gmail.com
(Our
thanks to Karen Henderson for the use of her photographs)
