Wedding Scene by Josefina Aguilar (1945-2026), Oaxaca

Wedding Scene, c. 1990by Josefina Aguilar, Oaxaca, Mexicoclay, pigmentVarious sizes from 4" to 5"” high x 2” wide x 2" deep Josefina Aguilar Alcántara was born in 1945 in Ocotlan de Morelos, Oaxaca, Mexico.  Josefina was unquestionably the greatest artist of the very talented Aguilar sisters, and had a very prolific career.  Josefina was best known for her small clay figurines, called muñecas, an art form she learned from her mother Isaura Aguilar. Aguilar used red clay to create depictions of everyday village activities, religious and folkloric scenes, famous figures, and special Day of the Dead statues. Collectors of her work have included Nelson Rockefeller, who discovered her work on a trip to Oaxaca in 1975, as well as repeat visitors to Oaxaca, who came to see her latest work. Children's book author Jeanette Winter has written and illustrated a counting book inspired by Aguilar's life and work. Later in life, Josefina went blind and was no longer able to create work. She passed a