Valles, Diego
Diego Gerardo Valles Trevizo learned the full range of Mata Ortiz shapes and styles, then struck out on his own in the direction of pure contemporary shapes decorated with stylized ancient designs. Some of his vessels are skeletonized, some undecorated, some with finely painted patterns that run parallel to the rims of his cutouts. His vision and the embodiment of that vision in his pieces is credited with expanding the boundaries of Mexican ceramics.
Diego came into this world in July, 1982 as the son of Diego Valles (deceased) and Angeles Trevizo. He says he made his first jar when he was about 8 years old and he’s been hooked ever since. He counts Antonia Tena and Jesus Mora as his primary teachers.
Despite having earned an electromechanical engineering degree, Diego is most proud of his accomplishments in ceramics, especially after he won the 2010 National Youth Award for Arts. He says accepting that award in person from Presidente Felipe Calderon was one of the proudest moments in his life.
Since then, Diego has traveled the world giving demonstrations and offering workshops to talk about and demonstrate how he makes his pots. His works are shown in some of the finest ceramics museums in the world, like the American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, CA, and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Overland Park, KS.
Diego also participated in the first show organized by the Museo de Arte Indigena Contemporaneo (MAIC), managed by Espacias de Arte Nomada AC. That was a traveling exhibition that began in Montreal, PQ, Canada, then moved to Boston, New York, Washington, Austin, Ciudad Obregon, the Cabos, Riviera Maya and finished in Mexico City.
Diego tells us his favorite shapes to work with are sculptural vases. His favorite designs tend to be in red and/or black. He says he draws his inspiration from the nature around Mata Ortiz and the culture of Paquimé. He also wants the world to know he believes in God.
Diego is married to fellow potter and engineer Carla Martinez. They have two beautiful daughters.
Among Diego’s other accomplishments
- 2020 Concurso Ceramica de Mata Ortiz, Best in Show
- 2018 Concurso Ceramica de Mata Ortiz, Third Place prize for a figure or sculpture
- 2016 Concurso Ceramica de Mata Ortiz, Third Place prize in the White Polychrome category
- First ceramic artist to be Artist-in-Residence at Taliesin West, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, Fall 2012
- People’s Choice Award at the 2012 4th Biennial Concordia Continental Ceramics
- Proposed by the National Youth Institute as a candidate for the 2011 National Arts and Sciences Award
- First Prize at the Concurso Municipal de Cerámica in September 2011
- Best of Show at the 2010 3rd Biennial Concordia Continental Ceramics
- Best of Show at the 2009 Concurso Cerámica de Mata Ortiz
- Best of Show at the 2008 Binational Painting Competition at the Museo de las Culturas del Norte y Zona Arqueológica de Paquimé
- First Prize at the 2006 Concurso Cerámica de Mata Ortiz