Francisco Toledo: Fire and Earth

FIRE AND EARTH November 23 - January 18, 2019

FIRE AND EARTH November 23 - January 18, 2019

Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Avenue E2 Santa Monica CA 90404 t.310.829.4455 www.latinamericanmasters.com

INTRODUCTION: Francisco Toledo’s art embraces the wider world of culture, Western and non-Western, modern and contemporary, regardless of medium. Toledo made his first ceramics in 1963 and continued to make ceramics throughout his lifetime. Surprisingly, Fire and Earth is the first solo exhibition of Toledo’s ceramics in the United States. The exhibit affords a rare opportunity to view mixed-media ceramics by an artist of singular vision.

Toledo’s mix of varied materials and art-making practices are a reflection of an artist unbounded by distinctions of category or hierarchy. Slave Ship typifies Toledo’s mixed-media approach, combining fired clay, gold and silver-leaf, printmaking, wood, and painted pigments. The finished work is not purely ceramic, and can, therefore, be said to “inhabit” multiple worlds. Toledo’s ceramic urns, four of which are included in the exhibit, exemplify another approach. These mysterious works have a stand-alone abstract beauty, not dependent on understanding their content. However, when we realize that they depict urns, content and process are united in a fiery kinship.

Toledo’s iconic bestiary is well represented in the exhibition. Among these are Toledo’s marvelous sculptures of toads. One reason Toledo is attracted to these creatures is that they are amphibious; that is, they move between worlds. Tower of Toads depicts a veritable orgy of toads, piled one on top of the other. The focus on sexual appetite and body function is another essential characteristic of Toledo’s art; another way that he unites the world of living things.

Toledo’s irony and layering of meaning are evident throughout the exhibit: Snail features its namesake flattened by the weight of its shell; a sculpted bird’s talons are so enlarged that it cannot possibly fly. Two remarkable sculptures feature dogs surrounded by bones. On the most basic level, these works are meditations on the shared mortality of all living things.

Toledo’s lifelong social activism made him a revered cultural figure. In 2014, when forty-three students “disappeared” in Guerrero, Toledo expressed his indignation by, among other things, making the exhibit, Duelo (Mourning), at Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City. Fire and Earth includes works from this landmark exhibition, among them Death On Your Back, an expressionist masterpiece that weds the Calavera tradition of the Day of The Dead to contemporary events.

Postscript: I was fortunate to visit Toledo twice in 2019. After he became ill, his wife relayed to me Toledo’s message that “he liked the idea of having a ceramics exhibit at Latin American Masters.” Our heartfelt thanks to Toledo for his art and inspiration, and to his family for their trust, generosity and support in making this exhibition a reality.

William Sheehy Director Latin American Masters

1.

Alcancía (Urn), 2010 high temperature ceramic with gold leaf 11 ½ x 11 ½ inches in diameter 29 x 29 cm in diameter

2.

Jarra de guardar aceite, 2006 high temperature ceramic 17 x 17 inches in diameter 43 x 43 cm in diameter

3.

Rabbit, 2015 high temperature ceramic with copper leaf 13 x 13 x 8 inches 33 x 33 x 20.5 cm

4.

Elephant, 2015 high temperature ceramic 10 ¾ x 8 ¾ x 8 ¾ inches 27 x 22 x 22 cm

5.

Toad, 2015 high temperature ceramic 8 Âź x 10 x 10 inches 21 x 25.5 x 25.5 cm

6.

Untitled (Tower of Toads), 2010 high temperature ceramic 25 ½ x 10 inches in diameter 64.5 x 25.5 cm in diameter

7.

Perro con huesos, 2015 high temperature ceramic 20 x 10 Âź inches in diameter 51 x 26 cm in diameter

8.

Perro con huesos, 2015 high temperature ceramic 20 x 14 inches in diameter 51 x 35.5 cm in diameter

9.

Untitled (Bird with Talons), 2015 high temperature ceramic 20 Ÿ x 8 ž inches in diameter 51.5 x 22.2 cm in diameter

10. Egg, 2015 high temperature ceramic 3 x 16 inches in diameter 7.5 x 40.5 cm in diameter

11. Caracol, 2015 high temperature ceramic 8 ½ x 10 inches in diameter 22 x 25.5 cm in diameter

12. Caracol, 2015 high temperature ceramic 9 x 15 ž inches in diameter 22.8 x 40 cm in diameter

13. Agave, 2015 high temperature ceramic 18 x 9 ½ inches in diameter 46 x 24 cm in diameter

14. Bats, 2015 high temperature ceramic 3 ¾ x 10 ₇⁄₈ inches in diameter 9.5 x 25 cm in diameter

15. Pupa (Self-portrait), 2015 high temperature ceramic 2 ½ x 4 x 10 Ÿ inches 6.3 x 10 x 26 cm

16. Untitled (Scorpions), 2015 high temperature ceramic 4 x 10 Ÿ x 17 ž inches 10.5 x 26 x 45 cm

17. Play, 2015 high temperature ceramic 5 ₅⁄₈ x 15 ¾ x 11 ¾ inches 14.5 x 40 x 29 cm in diameter

18. Torre pulpo, 2010 high temperature ceramic 22 ½ x 6 ½ inches in diameter 57 x 16.5 cm in diameter

19. Campana de dolores, 2005 high temperature ceramic 25 x 21 inches in diameter 66 x 54 cm in diameter

20. Campana con carretes, 2007 high temperature ceramic with gold leaf 21 x 18 inches in diameter 53 x 46 cm in diameter

21. Untitled (Manacles), 2015 high temperature ceramic 4 Ÿ x 15 ½ inches 11 x 37 cm in diameter

22. Slave Ship, 2015 high temperature ceramic, gold leaf, silver leaf and wood 10 ½ x 24 ₃⁄₈ x 10 ₃⁄₈ inches 27 x 61.9 x 26.5 cm

23. Burning, 2015 high temperature ceramic 14 ½ x 9 x 7 Ÿ inches 37 x 23 x 18.5 cm

24. Head, 2015 high temperature ceramic 9 ½ x 9 x 9 inches 24 x 22.5 x 22.5 cm

25. Urn, 2015 high temperature ceramic 12 ¹⁄₈ x 11 ¼ x 10 ¾ inches 31 x 28.5 x 27.5 cm

26. Urn, 2015 high temperature ceramic 7 ¾ x 7 ₃⁄₈ x 7 ½ inches 19.5 x 18.7 x 19 cm

27. Urn, 2015 high temperature ceramic 10 ½ x 9 x 8 Ÿ inches 26.6 x 22.8 x 21 cm

28. Death, 2015 high temperature ceramic 2 Âź x 15 Âź inches in diameter 6 x 39 cm in diameter

29. Death on your back, 2015 high temperature ceramic 15 x 8 Ÿ x 11 ½ inches 38 x 21 x 29 cm

30. Untitled (Figure in Cap), 2015 high temperature ceramic 14 ½ x 9 inches in diameter 37 x 23 cm

31. Ears, 2015 high temperature ceramic 14 x 11 Âź inches in diameter 35.5 x 28.5 cm in diameter

32. Untitled, 2015 high temperature ceramic 15 x 11 Âź inches in diameter 38 x 28.5 cm in diameter

33. Self-Portrait, 2015 high temperature ceramic 8 x 7 x 5 inches 20 x 17.5 x 12.7 cm

34. NAA PIA’ lying, 2017 high temperature ceramic, gold leaf, pigment and resin 4 ½ x 14 ½ x 11 ½ inches 11 x 36.8 x 29.2 cm

Francisco Toledo FIRE AND EARTH

1.

Alcancía (Urn), 2010, high temperature ceramic with gold leaf, 11 ½ x 11 ½ inches in diameter, 29 x 29 cm in diameter 2.

Jarra de guardar aceite, 2006, high temperature ceramic, 17 x 17 inches in diameter, 43 x 43 cm in diameter 3.

Rabbit, 2015, high temperature ceramic with copper leaf, 13 x 13 x 8 inches, 33 x 33 x 20.5 cm 4.

Elephant, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 10 ¾ x 8 ¾ x 8 ¾ inches, 27 x 22 x 22 cm 5.

Toad, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 8 ¼ x 10 x 10 inches, 21 x 25.5 x 25.5 cm 6.

Untitled (Tower of Toads), 2010, high temperature ceramic, 25 ½ x 10 inches in diameter, 64.5 x 25.5 cm in diameter 7.

Perro con huesos, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 20 x 10 ¼ inches in diameter, 51 x 26 cm in diameter 8.

Perro con huesos, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 20 x 14 inches in diameter, 51 x 35.5 cm in diameter 9.

Untitled (Bird with Talons), 2015, high temperature ceramic, 20 ¼ x 8 ¾ inches in diameter, 51.5 x 22.2 cm in diameter 10. Egg, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 3 x 16 inches in diameter, 7.5 x 40.5 cm in diameter 11.

Caracol, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 8 ½ x 10 inches in diameter, 22 x 25.5 cm in diameter 12.

Caracol, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 9 x 15 ¾ inches in diameter, 22 x 40 cm in diameter 13.

Agave, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 18 x 9 ½ inches in diameter, 46 x 24 cm in diameter 14. Bats, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 3 ¾ x 10 ₇⁄₈ inches in diameter, 9.5 x 25 cm in diameter 15.

Pupa (Self-portrait), 2015, high temperature ceramic, 2 ½ x 4 x 10 ¼ x inches, 6.3 x 10 x 26 cm 16. Untitled (Scorpions), 2015, high temperature ceramic, 4 x 10 ¼ x 17 ¾ inches, 10.5 x 26 x 45 cm 17.

Play, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 5 ₅⁄₈ x 15 ¾ x 11 ¾ inches, 40 x 20 cm in diameter

18. Torre pulpo, 2010, high temperature ceramic, 22 ½ x 6 ½ inches in diameter, 57 x 16.5 cm in diameter 19.

Campana de dolores, 2005, high temperature ceramic, 25 x 21 inches in diameter, 66 x 54 cm in diameter 20. Campana con corretes, 2007, high temperature ceramic with gold leaf, 21 x 18 inches in diameter, 53 x 46 cm in diameter 21.

Untitled (Manacles), 2015, high temperature ceramic, 4 ¼ x 15 ½ inches, 11 x 39 cm in diameter 22. Slave Ship, 2015, high temperature ceramic, gold leaf, silver leaf and wood, 10 ½ x 24 ₃⁄₈ x 10 ₃⁄₈ inches, 27 x 61.9 x 26.5 cm 23. Burning, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 14 ½ x 9 x 7 ¼ inches, 37 x 23 x18.5 cm 24. Head, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 9 ½ x 9 x 9 inches, 24 x 22.5 x 22.5 cm 25. Urn, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 12 ¹⁄₈ x 11 ¼ x 10 ¾ inches, 31 x 28.5 x 27.5 cm 26. Urn, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 7 ¾ x 7 ₃⁄₈ x 7 ½ inches, 19.5 x 18.7 x 19 cm 27.

Urn, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 10 ½ x 9 x 8 ¼ inches, 26.6 x 22.8 x 21 cm 28. Death, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 2 ¼ x 15 ¼ inches in diameter, 6 x 39 cm in diameter 28. Death on your back, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 15 x 8 ¼ x 11 ½ inches, 38 x 21 x 29 cm 30. Untitled (Figure in Cap), 2015, high temperature ceramic, 14 ½ x 9 inches in diameter, 37 x 23 cm in diameter 31.

Ears, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 14 x 11 ¼ inches in diameter, 35.5 x 28.5 in diameter 32. Untitled, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 15 x 11 ¼ inches in diameter, 38 x 28.5 cm in diameter 33. Self-Portrait, 2015, high temperature ceramic, 8 x 7 x 5 inches, 20 x 17.5 x 12.7 cm 34. NAA PIA’ lying, 2017, high temperature ceramic, gold leaf, pigment and resin, 14 ½ x 14 ½ x 11 ½ inches, 11 x 36.8 x 29.2 cm

Francisco Toledo

Oaxaca, México (1940 - 2019) SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

1959 Fort Worth Art Center, Fort Worth, Texas 1963 Galerie Karl Flinker, Paris, France 1964 Hamiltons Gallery, London, England 1965 Saidenberg Gallery, New York, New York 1966 Tooth Gallery, London, England 1968 Galerie Daniel Gervis, Paris, France 1969 Galería Juan Martín, México City, México 1970 Galería Arvil, México City, México 1974 Martha Jackson Gallery, New York, New York 1976 Museo de Arte Moderno, Bogotá, Colombia 1978 Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, New York 1980 Museo de Arte Moderno, México City, México 1984 Palacio de Bellas Artes, México City, México 1985 Nippon Gallery, Tokyo, Japan 1988 National Museum of Mexican Fine Arts, Chicago, Illinois 1991 Latin American Masters, Los Angeles, California 1995 Associated American Artists, New York, New York 1997 XLVII Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy 2000 Whitechapel Gallery, London, England 2001 Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid, Spain 2002 Städtische Kunstmuseum, Spendhaus Reutlingen, Germany 2005 Museo Nacional de Antropología, México City, México 2007 Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, New Jersey 2012 Latin American Masters, Los Angeles, California 2015 Museo de Arte Moderno, México City, México 2017 Latin American Masters, Los Angeles, California 2018 American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, Washington, DC 2019 Museo de Arte Popular, México City, México

National Museum of Modern Art, Paris, France Tate Gallery, London, England National Gallery, Oslo, Norway Ludwig Museum, Koblenz, Germany Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York Princeton University Museum, Princeton, New Jersey The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois The National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Blanton Museum of Art, University of Texas, Austin, Texas Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California Hammer Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California USC Fisher Museum of Art, University of Southern California,

Los Angeles, California Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, California San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, California Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, California Museo de Arte Moderno, México City, México Museo Rufino Tamayo, México City, México The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection, México City and New York

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ades, Dawn and Monsiváis, Carlos, Francisco Toledo, Turner Books, 2000 American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, Toledo Múltiple, Washington, DC, 2018 Ashton, Dore, Francisco Toledo, Latin American Masters, Los Angeles, 1991 Cardoza y Aragón, Luis, Francisco Toledo, E.R.A., México, 1987 de Mandiargues, André Pieyre, Mystique de la Forme, XX Siecle, Paris, 1964

Francisco Toledo: 1957-2017, Volumes 1-4, Formento Cultural Banamex, A.C., México City, 2016 Latin American Masters, Francisco Toledo: Self Portraits, Los Angeles, CA, 2018 Manrique, Jorge, Francisco Toledo, Veronica Volkow, Smufit, México, 2002 Mead Moore, George, Francisco Toledo, Bomb Magazine, 2000 Miller, Henry, Francisco Toledo, Galerie Daniel Gervis, Paris, France, 1967 Theroux, Paul, What Makes Francisco ‘El Maestro,’ Smithsonian Magazine, 2019