H: 15” W: 12”
 
Beautiful hand-modeled pottery with both hand-painted and sgraffito details. The pottery/olla features a unique rippled design that reflects the incredible talent of Estrella Silveira. Estrella Silveira is a second-generation Mata Ortiz potter. She is the daughter of first-generation potters Gloria Hernandez and Gregorio Silveira Sr. and sister of Gregorio Silveira Jr.
Angela Estrella Silveira Hernandez, born on May 13, 1989, is a talented artist known for her remarkable work in ceramics. From a young age, she displayed an innate passion for creativity and a keen eye for detail. At the tender age of 13, she embarked on her artistic journey, driven by her inspiration and admiration for her mother's creative abilities.
With a natural affinity for working with her hands and a vivid imagination, Estrella’s mother, Gloria Hernandez, became her first mentor. Guided by her mother's expert guidance, Estrella took hold of a piece of clay and began to shape it, marking the moment she discovered her true calling. She channeled her passion into crafting figurines of indigenous women, showcasing their cultural essence and a pot symbolizing their traditions.
By the time she turned 14, under her mother's tutelage, she had honed her skills in painting intricate patterns on pottery, adorning them with depictions of animals, birds, fish, and an array of captivating motifs. This merging of her mother's influence with her creative vision gave birth to a unique style that captivated those who beheld her work.
Inspired by her brother's artistic endeavors, she infused her pottery with his geometric style while still incorporating her mother's distinct animal motifs. This fusion of influences resulted in a striking amalgamation that became Estrellal's signature artistic expression.
Estrella’s talents garnered recognition, leading her to participate in various exhibitions and competitions. Since 2005, she has actively participated in her hometown’s competition, the Mata Ortiz annual concurso, earning accolades. In 2017, she achieved first place, followed by second place in 2019 and third place in 2020, solidifying her status as a skilled and esteemed artist within her community.
Beyond her local success, Estrella’s artistic journey has taken her to other venues. Notably, she has showcased her ceramics in San Pedro Tlaquepaque and the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, where she achieved both first and third-place honors. In 2021, she was selected to be part of an exhibition at the El Paso Texas Art Museum featuring contemporary ceramics from Mata Ortiz. Her exceptional pieces have also found a place at Flor de Barro Gallery, enchanting art enthusiasts with their creativity and mastery.
Angela Estrella Silveira Hernandez's unwavering dedication to her craft, her devotion to preserving Mata Ortiz's art forms, and her ability to blend traditional influences with contemporary styles have established her as a great artist in ceramics. 
 
 
Mata Ortiz Pottery is a recreation of the Mogollon pottery style found at the historical sites of Casas Grandes in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. This ancient cultural tradition has traveled to us through the past through archaeological reclamation. Artists today have sought to recapture the beauty of this pottery and have developed that into the Mata Ortiz pottery style. ​ This style looks not just to recreate the aesthetics of the past but to re-establish a bond to a cultural tradition that was almost lost to time. The Paquime pottery style could have been a mystery lost to the vast depths of history and time, but thanks to the work of dedicated artists and artistic researchers, it has been revived in our modern time. ​ Our art gallery specializes in this particular style of pottery. We have pieces for sale from new artists and the established masters of the form. Our effort as a gallery looks to celebrate this artwork and help educate people about its rich traditions. ​ We are one of the premier locations for the study and awareness of Mata Ortiz pottery.