As part of its academic and cultural mission, the Department of Fine Arts at Yarmouk University's Faculty of Fine Arts, in collaboration with the Mexican Embassy in Amman, inaugurated the exhibition "Tales in Clay: From Mexico to Jordan / Mata Ortiz: Contemporary Creativity that Transcends Ancient Cultures." The exhibition was held at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts (JNGFA) in Jabal Al-Luwaibdeh, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Wijdan Al-Hashemi, and in the presence of the Mexican Ambassador to Amman, Jacob Prado, along with a number of Jordanian visual artists, members of the Mexican community, and students and faculty members from the Department of Fine Arts at Yarmouk University.
Yarmouk University's participation involved organizing an academic and cultural visit for students from the Department of Fine Arts to the exhibition. This visit was part of the cultural and artistic cooperation between the university and the Mexican Embassy, aiming to connect academic knowledge with live artistic experiences, enhance the interactive aspect of the educational process, and provide students with the opportunity to directly engage with contemporary international art experiences rooted in deep cultural traditions. This, in turn, contributes to broadening their aesthetic horizons and fostering intercultural dialogue.
The visit program included a lecture and a specialized art workshop attended by more than 26 students, along with the Head of the Fine Arts Department, Dr. Mohammed Salem, ceramics instructors Ms. Maysoun Jaradat and Mr. Marwan Tawaha, and sculpture instructor Ms. Ghada Baydoun. The lecture and workshop were presented by Mexican artist Héctor Gallegos, who discussed the experience of handmade pottery crafted by artisans in the village of Mata Ortiz in the state of Chihuahua, northern Mexico.
Galegos presented an in-depth historical overview of this type of pottery, explaining its cultural roots, production methods, and the traditional techniques associated with the village and its inhabitants, who have inherited this craft through generations. He also noted its cultural connection to the ancient Pakémi culture. He emphasized his role as a contemporary artist working to transmit and reinterpret this rich heritage through modern approaches and a contemporary artistic language that preserves its authenticity while keeping pace with the evolution of modern art.
The program included a practical demonstration by Mexican artist Laura Bogarini, who captivated the audience with her meticulous technique of painting on ceramic pieces. Her work incorporates motifs inspired by Mexican heritage, infused with experimental and modern elements that express her unique artistic language. The students expressed their admiration for this high level of artistic performance and the evident commitment to embodying Mexican identity through this distinctive form of ceramics.
The exhibition features 22 handmade ceramic pieces representing the work of three generations of Mata Ortiz artists who have revived traditional techniques inspired by the Pakémi culture within a contemporary vision. The exhibition features a number of pioneering artists, including Ángel César Bogarini Soto, Laura Bogarini, Paula Gallegos Bogarini, Héctor Gallegos Jr., Carla López Cota, Loly Lucero, Betty Quezada, Israel Sandoval, Laura Janet Silveira Pedregon, Tavo Silveira Sandoval, and Elvida Tina Muñoz. Their works reflect a delicate balance between contemporary art and the visual extension of ancestral heritage.
Dr. Mohammed Salem, Head of the Fine Arts Department, emphasized that this visit represents added educational and cultural value for the department's students. It offers an opportunity to explore artistic cultures with a rich history and a significant presence on the global art scene, enhancing their ability to interpret artworks within their cultural and historical context. He noted that the exhibition serves as an important platform for fostering cultural cooperation and introducing students and the Jordanian public to Mexico's rich artistic traditions, with their unique aesthetics and deeply rooted human experiences that can be expressed through the language of contemporary art.
At the end of the visit, the students toured the main museum, where they viewed several art exhibitions, including one by the Jordanian visual artist Fouad Mimi. They also saw a diverse collection of works representing a wide range of artistic schools, trends, and styles, encompassing painting, photography, sculpture, art films, graphic arts, and photography. These works were created by artists from the Arab world and developing countries, particularly from Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Australia.
During the tour, the students listened to an explanation by Dr. Mohammed Salem about these artistic experiences and their significance in the contemporary art scene. This contributed to broadening their creative horizons, inspiring them to explore new ideas, and providing a profound educational and cultural experience that fostered creativity and deepened their appreciation for the aesthetics of visual art and their understanding of the stories behind artworks throughout history.
Dr. Mohammed Salem added that such events constitute a fundamental pillar in developing students’ artistic talents and encouraging them to innovate and be creative, which enhances Yarmouk University’s role in nurturing and refining creative energies, and consolidating its academic and cultural presence in the local and international art scene.
