Bertha Gachupin
Bertha Gachupin , “Thunder Flower”, was born into the Jemez Pueblo in 1954. She is a full blooded Native American Indian, member of the Zia and Corn Clan. Bertha was inspired to learn the art of making pottery by her Grandmother, Persingula Gachupin. She was also inspired artistically and economically to continue the family tradition of hand coiling pottery.
Bertha specializes in handmade corn stalk pottery. She has continued to use only traditional methods to make her pottery and has mastered the hand coiling, stone polish, and traditional firing needed to perfect her pottery. Bertha’s unique style is to use a buff or red slip on the pottery , then applies melon swirls that are carved into the her pottery. She then accents the finished product with corn painted designs to denote her clan origin. The pottery is then hand polished after firing. Bertha signs her pottery as: Bertha Gachupin, Jemez, followed by a corn symbol.
Marie Romero(aunt), Lenora Fragua (mother), Maxine Toya (cousin), Laura Gachupin (cousin), and Virginia “Ponca” Fragua (sister) are among many of the artists that Bertha is related to.
Bertha specializes in handmade corn stalk pottery. She has continued to use only traditional methods to make her pottery and has mastered the hand coiling, stone polish, and traditional firing needed to perfect her pottery. Bertha’s unique style is to use a buff or red slip on the pottery , then applies melon swirls that are carved into the her pottery. She then accents the finished product with corn painted designs to denote her clan origin. The pottery is then hand polished after firing. Bertha signs her pottery as: Bertha Gachupin, Jemez, followed by a corn symbol.
Marie Romero(aunt), Lenora Fragua (mother), Maxine Toya (cousin), Laura Gachupin (cousin), and Virginia “Ponca” Fragua (sister) are among many of the artists that Bertha is related to.