Joseph Lugo-Youngblood is the youngest son of noted potter Nancy Youngblood and a great-grandson of Margret Tafoya.  He learned to make pottery from his mother, so his technical skills are exceptional.  Each piece is coil-built, carved, stone polished, and native-fired out doors. This bowl is deeply carved with an elk and buffalo skull on each side. They are polished tan, while the other designs are polished red.  Tan is very difficult to polish and achieve a high shine.  It is achieved by just applying water to the surface of the clay and polishing it.  However, the shine and coloration are striking on this piece.  Joseph said of his bowl:

“Art often reflects the world of the artist. Making a red piece with skulls and sunbeams came as a response to the constantly rising heat and drought around us.”

It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Joseph Lugo”.  Joseph said it has been over ten years since he made pieces and his new work is creative and thoughtful.

“Our tradition is in the clay.  Traditional pottery is doing the process yourself, including digging the clay, respecting our ancestors, and thanking the earth for providing the clay for us.  The Pueblo pottery from a century ago is timeless and can remain an important source of inspiration in the future.” Joseph Lugo, “Future in Clay”, 2022