A coppersmith of international stature, Ignacio Punzo Angel was born July 22, 1958 in the state of Michoacán. He learned his craft from his father, Don Carlos Punzo Córdoba. Ignacio does not remember when he began to work with copper, but says, "While playing at the age of 3, I began using a hammer to help my father."

Ignacio has lived his entire life with metals. He began working in copper and at 17 he began to work with silver as well. He plans to continue on with the family tradition and has decided to teach his craft to his children: José Rosaldo, José Germán and Ignacio Gabriel.

His art has been exhibited in several cities in Mexico and the United States. Ignacio especially remembers the exhibition “The Shining Relationship: Mexico-Texas”, organized by the Consulate General of Mexico, the Cultural Institute of Mexico in San Antonio and the University of Texas, December of 1993-January of 1994. He was awarded the First Prize in Crafts and Best of Show in Morelia, Michoacán. Also he has had several first places and special prizes in some of the more important contests in Mexico: National Copper Fair, Michoacán, and the Fair for National Aid of Silver that is celebrated annually in Taxco.

Ignacio Punzo Angel is another artist featured in the book “Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art.”

(Our thanks to Norm Tihor for the use of his photographs)