$200.00
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Early 21st Century
3.23.25x4 5/8
From a Private Colorado Collection
Excellent Condition
Johanna Herrera (b. ca. 1960s), often collaborating as Johanna Herrera with her partner Anthony Baca, is a dedicated traditional potter from Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, crafting high-quality blackware and redware vessels that embody the Pueblo's enduring ceramic heritage.
Born in the mid-20th century, she grew up immersed in the Tewa traditions of Santa Clara, though not from one of the most prominent pottery families, which has allowed her to maintain a low-profile yet respected presence in the art world. Johanna learned the craft from the esteemed potter Corn Moquino, a key figure in preserving Santa Clara techniques, and began creating pieces around the early 2000s, amassing over 20 years of experience by the mid-2010s.
She works closely with Anthony Baca on every vessel, adhering strictly to ancestral methods: sourcing local clay from Santa Clara lands, hand-coiling without a wheel, stone-polishing for a glossy sheen, and pit-firing outdoors to achieve the iconic black finishes through smothered reduction techniques.
Their signature style features deeply carved motifs, particularly the avanyu (horned water serpent), a symbol of rain and fertility central to Tewa cosmology, along with bear paws, feathers, and geometric patterns that reflect the Pueblo's natural surroundings and spiritual narratives. Forms include polished jars, bowls, and seed pots, emphasizing balance between form and intricate surface detailing.
Unlike many contemporaries, Johanna and Anthony eschew competitions and awards, choosing instead to focus on the purity of their process and the quiet satisfaction of creation, which has kept their work undervalued yet prized by discerning collectors for its superior craftsmanship. They sign pieces as "Johanna Herrera & Anthony Baca, Santa Clara Pueblo," underscoring their collaborative spirit and cultural ties. Active today, their pottery contributes to Santa Clara's global reputation for blackware innovation, bridging ancient techniques with subtle, timeless artistry that honors the Pueblo's matrilineal traditions while remaining accessible to those who seek authentic Native voices.
Condition:
Excellent
Tribe:
Santa Clara
Year Range:
2000 - Current
Region:
Southwest
Dimensions:
3.25 in4.68 in
Category:
Pottery Bowls and Jars Post 1940
Artist:
Herrera and Anthony Baca, Johanna
