Mora, Pilo

Porfirio Pilo Mora learned the basics of how to make pottery from Emeterio Ortiz, back around 1973 when he was still living in Barrio Porvenir in Mata Ortiz. He learned other aspects of the pottery-making process by working with and learning from artists like Felix Ortiz, Macario Ortiz, Salbador Ortiz, Nicolas Ortiz and José Silveira. Then he moved to Nuevo Casas Grandes and started teaching others.

Pilo was an innovator in the use of mezclado (mixed) clay. More than 98% of his output and that of his many students is in mixed clay. Mixed clay yields a thin pot with a marbleized surface allowing for very fine line work.

Pilo’s ability to paint is unsurpassed. His designs are often a complex maze that begin at the top of the piece and spiral their way to the bottom. He says he got the idea for that spiraling design from his dreams. The bits and pieces that make up his larger designs are of the Paquimé Revival style.

In 1992, while pounding nails on a school project, Pilo suffered an eye injury that slowly took away his eyesight in that eye. He was still painting but he couldn’t get the fine lines he had become kn own for. So he started taking on apprentices and teaching them. Some of them have since become excellent potters on their own.

Then Pilo had eye surgery in Riverside, CA. The doctor removed a black cataract caused by a sliver of iron from a nail and Pilo could see again.

Pilo’s work has been shown in exhibitions at the University of New Mexico in 1995, the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City in 1999, and the Exhibits USA Potters of Mata Ortiz traveling exhibition in 1999-2001.