Ramirez, Ernesto

Ernesto Ramirez Silva of Mata Ortiz is famous for his ability to perfectly lay out cuadricula squares (these are actually diamonds) around his pieces. He also most often does his polychrome painting over several layers of polished graphite black slip, creating a very distinctive style of design. He and his brother Alonzo worked out the process together and Ernesto has won numerous awards for his work since.

Ernesto is the son of Paz Silva Ramirez. She learned how to make pottery from Alonzo Ortiz, son of the late Osbaldo Ortiz. For many years the whole family worked together with their mother, Paz Silva, signing most pieces. Some, though, were signed by Ernesto, Alonzo and their sister, Veronica.

As a family, they mostly made unusual polychrome pieces, decorating them with green and light red paints. They also decorated glossy black pots with their green and light red designs.