Gorky Gonzalez (1939)

Gorky Gonzalez was born in the city of Morelia, Michoacán, on September 20th, 1939. He is the son of sculptor Rodolfo Gonzalez, with whom he worked and studied sculpture and casting of artistic objects in bronze and lost wax.


In 1962 at 23, Gorky worked in San Miguel de Allende, a village located in the State of Guanajuato at the School of Arts and the Allende Institute, where he built an artistic foundry attended by both student and professional sculptors. Later he founded a small workshop of terra cotta manufacturing in the village of Marfil where he reproduced Jean Byron's designs.


His main interest, however, has always been rescuing the traditional Majolica. He studied ceramics in Guanajuato, which prompted him to rescue this lost craft which represents one of the cultural and historical values of this region.


While he was striving to achieve this aim, Gorky met Hisato Murayama, a young cultured Japanese who was studying Spanish, Philosophy, and Mexican history. Hisato Murayama, a professional connoisseur of pottery techniques, lent Gorky various books on Japanese art, encouraging him to continue his studies in Japan.


Gorky was granted a scholarship to study in Japan for 2 years, where he not only learned diverse pottery techniques but also met his wife, Toshiko. In this remote country he first studied in Tokyo with Tsuji Seimei, who taught the Shigaraki technique. Later he moved to the town of Bizen, where he studied with Kei Fujiwara, considered Japan's living national treasure, and with his son, Yu Fujiwara, also a renowned potter. There he learned the Bizen - Yaki technique.


Currently, Gorky Gonzalez owns his own ceramic workshop located in Guanajuato, Mexico. He works there with his son, Gorky Gonzalez Jr, where they continue to produce unique majolica ceramics for you to enjoy in your home.


In December 1992, the President of Mexico, awarded Gorky Gonzalez, The national Award of Sciences and Arts in the field of Popular Art and Traditions for "his exceptional Contribution to Mexican popular art".