Presented by Curato of Collections Anna Bermudez for the Ventura Museum May 6th till June 19th 2011
~From Lemon Grader to Artist-in-Residence: Museum Exhibition Tells the Story of Folk Artist Maura Flores Olney~
A bushel of lemons once hid the visionary talent of the late Santa Paula folk artist Maura Flores Olney. Learn her story and see her intriguing handmade dolls and other works of art in Revelation:Rediscovering the Art of Maura Flores Olney, opening May 6 at the Museum of Ventura County, and running through June 19.
During her lifetime Olney worked as a lemon grader in the Limoneira packing house and as a nanny for the daughters of Alfrida and Milton Teague. Olney had little formal artistic training, but was admired by family and friends for creating handmade dolls inspired by people she knew, movie stars and the folk art of her native Mexico. Thanks to her benefactress Alfrida Teague, who recognized Olney’s special talent, the artist went on to attend art school in Pasadena and spent time as an artist-in-residence at Padua Hills in Claremont, California.
For the past three years, museum Curator of Collections Anna Bermudez has been researching Olney’s story for this exhibition, which includes dolls from the museum collection, as well as paintings and historical materials from the artist’s family.
The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, members and children under 6 are free. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.
Una Reina de los indígenas
September 3, 2010
18thc Large 21in Cloth Doll
Close up reveals seeds & shell necklace and batea earrings
La China Poblana
August 14, 2009
A most striking mestiza costume is that of the China Poblana. It is the most common of the female costumes and undeniably one of the most traditional and impressive dresses. The beautiful combination and fluent traditional traits translates the mestiza into a glorious festive ensemble.
Angelina La Patriota de China Poblana, c.1930s
El Rebozo de Mexico : Traditional Uses
July 6, 2009
by Diego Rivera
Diego Rivera’s paintings of Mexican women personifies the importance of the rebozo and its fundamental uses during the 20th c.. It was the quintessential garment worn by the mestiza and indigenous women. It was his wife’s, Frida Kahlo’s favorite piece and she was rarely seen without one. It is a prized piece of clothing for Mexican women and is always properly stored to keep its beauty.
On the indigenous woman the rebozo is used for a multiple of purposes it is not only an aesthetic piece but it serves as an instrument for daily tasks. It is a utilitarian textile and is used for warmth as well as to carry many things. In some regions it is twisted and knotted around the head to balance a jar.
On the mestiza urban woman she will use her rebozo over her head, around the shoulders, or folded on or accross the shoulders. Just as the men’s serape can define social status, so can the rebozos define the women.
The traditional costumes of Mexico have sustained a chronological homage to their country’s heritage. The many regions support local differences unique to their particular beliefs, origin, and climatic conditions. As an indigenous society they have blended with centuries of European, primarily Spanish, contact has provided influences that filtered in the to lineage of their national clothing. You can enjoy the various pieces that are distinctively Mexican; they provide keen preservation of their society. The vintage and antique dolls clothing personifies 20th c. Mexican culture and earlier.
Puebla Girl 20thc.
An indigenous papier mache doll represents the true clothing of their regional clothing.
She stands approximately 16″ tall, wears the traditional rebozo with profuse copied embroidery “punto de cruz”
San Pablito, Puebla
Mexican Popular Art Clothing & Dolls Wendy Scalzo
March 24, 2009
Various sites offer my book , including eBay, Barnes & Nobles and Amazon or you could order it directly through Schiffer Publishing , below you will find a selective list of sellers. I would love to personally sign it if you like, just email me. Thank you so much !
PURCHASE BOOK:
It is with sincere pleasure to finally bring you some significant information and history on the Mexican Dolls and 20th c. Mexican clothing. After years of collecting and researching their varied regional origins I realized that there waslittle if any information on Mexican dolls . My primary goal was to start documenting their similarities by origin, age and medium. I soon discovered it was going to be very difficult as resources were limited . I researched both English as well as Spanish past and current information. I am so excited to share what I have researched with you through my book and this website .Mexican costume dolls have certainly beenoverlooked on many levels of collecting and from the many genres of costume dolls, Mexican Folk Art, Popular Arts, 20th c. Mexican clothing and other types of collections. The dolls and their clothing has played a significant role in the history of Mexico’s decadal trends and the Mexican 20th c. dress. Not only were the dolls tourist souvenirs, but they are now a visible representation of Mexico’s wonderful indigenous and mestizo costumes. The many ways in which the dolls were made illustrates a balance of factual clothing from their country and their traits of those popular cites, such as, Guerrero, Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, Veracruz and many others.
