Gachupin, Bertha

Born into Jemez Pueblo in April 1954, Bertha Gachupin is the daughter of Leonora G. Fragua and Moses Fragua. Among her siblings are Virginia Ponca Fragua, Virgil Fragua, Loren Fragua, Elmer Fragua and Matthew Fragua.

Bertha became an active potter in the marketplace in the mid 1970s. She mostly made matte polychrome on polished redware and creamware bowls, jars, ornaments, owls and spiral melon jars. Her favorite decorations include rain clouds, terraced clouds, feathers, corn plants, lightning bolts and terraced diamonds. She liked to combine polished red and cream forms with areas of matte polychrome designs.