This is a classic water jar by Robert Patricio.  He is known for his use of both traditional and pre-historic imagery.  This jar is coil-built and thin-walled.  The jar is painted with a classic lightning pattern. It varies from black to white to sections with fine lines.  Note how the design follows the shape of the jar and accentuates the form.  It’s always great to see his amazing detail!  The piece was painted with bee-weed (black).  The jar is fluid in geometric design and has an amazing modernist appearance!  Robert is certainly one of the leading traditional Acoma potters working today, as evidenced by his stunning forms and complex designs.  The jar is signed on the bottom, “R. M. Patricio”.

Robert said recently of his pottery:

““The pottery inspires me to keep going.  Keeping the tradition alive in making pottery, that’s how we were brought up.  Our ancestors started making pottery.  It’s amazing what comes of a piece of clay. When you come to Acoma it’s peacuful and quite.  When you look a piece of pottery, you see the same peacefulness.”   Robert Patricio, 2020