Juan Barroso

My work is about Mexican labor and the struggle, hope, and heritage of Mexican immigrants. With the current political administration enforcing policies that dehumanize and force immigrants into the shadows, recognizing an immigrant’s humanity is vital. As the son of immigrant parents, I hope to pay homage to my people and the dignity of their labor. I mix 2-dimensional imagery, influenced by personal narratives, with 3-dimensional functional forms. I paint images with black underglaze, a small brush, and a pointillism technique. I chose pointillism on functional vessels because the process is time-consuming and labor intensive. My wrists and neck hurt after thousands of dots placed with care and accuracy to produce an image. The process becomes an act of devotion. I cannot think of a better way to show my respect and admiration for my people and their will to survive than with labor of love and time invested. After the imagery is painted on bisque-ware, I bisque again to set the image and avoid smearing the underglaze. I protect the images with liquid latex and airbrush a clear glaze on the rest of the piece. I make the work permanent and functional by firing to cone 6 in an electric kiln.
< Shop More Artists < Main Shop



Honoring the Farmworker (Pitcher)

$180.00



Silver Spoon/Shovel Lidded Vessel

$180.00



Figure Study Pitcher

$240.00



Honoring the Farmworker (Cup)



Penguin Cup


   

Honoring the Farmworker (Pitcher)

$180.00



Silver Spoon/Shovel Lidded Vessel

$180.00



Figure Study Pitcher

$240.00



Honoring the Farmworker (Cup)



Penguin Cup


 

Honoring the Farmworker (Pitcher)

$180.00



Silver Spoon/Shovel Lidded Vessel

$180.00



Figure Study Pitcher

$240.00



Honoring the Farmworker (Cup)



Penguin Cup


 

Honoring the Farmworker (Pitcher)

$180.00



Silver Spoon/Shovel Lidded Vessel

$180.00



Figure Study Pitcher

$240.00



Honoring the Farmworker (Cup)



Penguin Cup




Did you Know?

50% of your purchase directly supports the artist, and 50% of your purchase supports the operations of The Clay Studio, a nonprofit that serves 35,000 people, including 2,000 underserved school children, each year.

Learn More about supporting us

Can We Help?

Feel free to contact us Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Naimah Stith, Retail Manager and Gallery Coordinator
naimah@theclaystudio.org | 215-925-3453 x115


Customer service