Mexican and Latin American Folk Art
The International Museum of Art & Science introduces visitors to a variety of the colorful and powerful pieces from its collection of Mexican and Latin
American folk art.
Folk art is a vibrant industry in Mexico and Latin America. With the growth of the travel industry, crafts have become an important source of income for the country, especially as the rural population becomes economically marginalized. The relatively simple technology and low capitalization needed for craft production encourages its development as an alternative source of employment.
Folk art is about one-of-a-kind hand-made objects, produced on a relatively small scale. The objects produced are infinitely varied and reflect the creative imagination of the individual maker. While pieces may closely resemble each other, few are ever alike, as artists add their own unique touches to each piece.
Mexican and Latin American art helps us see the diverse country from the inside- in homes, in the market, in customs, traditions, and rituals. Latin America possesses a great wealth of craftsmanship that plays an important role in many communities, for their own use and for sale to tourists and collectors.
The Mexican and Latin American Folk Art gallery features pottery (including Talavera and Mata Ortiz pottery), masks, paper arts and papier-mâché, Oaxacan ceramics, Wixárika yarn paintings, textiles, and Guatemalan weavings. Although each piece is different, count on one thing: together the collection is colorful!
Image credits:
Yarn Painting: Francisco Bautista, Nearika, ca. 1984,
Alebrije (Spirit Animal): Manuel Jimenez and son, Alebrije, 1983
Current Exhibits
Student Crossroads: Contemplating Uncovered Spaces
Student Art Exhibition curated by UTRGV MFA Alumni Cristina Correa and Fatima Lai presenting works by high school art [...]
Unsinkable: Voices from the Storm
Beginning Wednesday, April 13, the office of the Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez in partnership with the International Museum [...]
Industrial Nature by Michelle Stitzlein
Michelle Stitzlein creates large scale sculpture from recycled materials. She works in a large studio converted from a former [...]
Uncovered Spaces
An Exhibition and Event Series Centered on Women Artists and LGBTQIA+ Artists The International Museum of Art and Science [...]
Mexican and Latin American Folk Art
The International Museum of Art & Science introduces visitors to a variety of the colorful and powerful pieces from [...]
Virtual Exhibits
Ephemeral Decor: Dia de Muertos Objects
El Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican celebration centered around the memory of [...]
This is a STEMinist
The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) has partnered with McAllen Public Utility (MPU) to address the gender [...]
The Virgin Mary: Art, Materiality, and Piety
By Daniel Ymbong The establishment of the Spanish viceroyalties ushered new popular devotions and art production depicting the Virgin [...]
Santas: The Feminine Divine
By Carol Lopez The Christian faith's importance expanded due to the Spanish and Portuguese Viceroyalty, much of the art [...]
Natural Essence
Ceramics have been around for a long time. They can be created by using different types of clay and [...]
Pollinators in Action
The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) is excited to announce the winners of its first community juried [...]
