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American painter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Julián Martínez, also known as Pocano (1879–1943), was a San Ildefonso Pueblo potter,[1] painter, and the patriarch of a family of Native American ceramic artists in the United States.
Julián Martínez | |
---|---|
![]() Julian Martinez in 1920 | |
Born | Pocano 1879 |
Died | 1943 |
Nationality | San Ildefonso Pueblo |
Education | community |
Known for | Ceramics, Painting |
Movement | San Ildefonso Self-Taught Group |
Spouse | Maria Martinez |
Children | Popovi Da |
Elected | Governor of San Ildefonso Pueblo |
Patron(s) | School for Advanced Research |
Martínez was born in 1879 in San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico.[2] His name, Pocano, means "Coming of the Spirits" in Tewa. He worked as a farmer, general laborer, and janitor, in addition to being an artist. He was elected governor of San Ildefonso.[3]
Martínez married matriarch potter Maria Martinez, and together they had a son Popovi Da, who was also a potter.[4] Maria is considered the preeminent creator of San Ildefonso blackware pottery; however Julian contributed to her accomplishments. Their son Popovi Da continued innovating Pueblo ceramic arts; his work has been widely exhibited and collected.[5]
Martinez died on March 6, 1943, in San Ildefonso Pueblo.[4]
The Martinez family was instrumental in reviving the San Ildefonso and creating the San Ildefonso black-on-black, matte-on-shiny pottery technique. The Martínez family is credited for inventing a technique that would allow for areas of the pottery to have a matte finish and other areas to be a glossy jet black.[6]
Martínez, with help from anthropologist, Edgar Lee Hewett researched historical designs and reproduced them on the pottery, later modifying classical Pueblo designs to create his own.[citation needed]
Martínez was also an easel painter.[1] He painted scenes of Pueblo rituals as well as abstract designs with colored pencil and watercolor, and featured Western figurative types against blank backgrounds.[7] He painted murals at the former Santa Fe Indian School in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.[3]
Martínez was part of an art movement called the San Ildefonso Self-Taught Group, which included such noted artists as Alfonso Roybal, Tonita Peña, Abel Sanchez (Oqwa Pi), Crecencio Martinez, and Encarnación Peña.[8]
The artwork of Maria and Julian Martinez can be found in the following public collections.
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