Max Early
Laguna
Palatial Vase
8 1/4"
H x 9 1/2" D
Max Early was born in 1963
into the Laguna Pueblo. His mother is of the Turkey Clan and
his father is of the Bear Clan. Max married into the Cochiti
Pueblo and has 3 children.
His interest in tradition
began when he was a teenager living with his grandparents. Max
was never encouraged to actually work with clay since his grandmother,
Clara Acoya Encino, emphasized that pottery making was a womans
job.
It was, however, acceptable
for Max to assist with painting his grandmothers pottery.
He began doing this when she developed arthritis and could no
longer paint. He eventually moved away to attend college and
his interest in pottery lay dormant for nearly 10 years.
He began painting ceramic
ware as a hobby, but couldnt feel any life in the commercial
pieces. He decided to venture out on his own. He knew where to
gather raw materials and set out, with determination, to make
a large olla. Once complete, Max called on a fellow potter, Gladys
Paquin, and asked her teach him how to fire pottery.
His first olla survived the
firing and Max took the success as a sign that he was destined
to become an artisan.
With only a handful of traditional potters existing in the Laguna
Pueblo, Max knew what his obligation to his Pueblo would be.
Max says that he first learned
to make drums and moccasins. However, drum and moccasin makers
were a dime a dozen. His decision to change over to traditional
pottery came from his desire to help save the art of pottery
making within his pueblo from extinction.
Max is encouraging his children
to continue the pottery making tradition. Maxs goal to
become a mentor for his people will fulfill his ambition to keep
the tradition alive and endure for future generations to come.
Awards:
-Santa Fe Indian Market consecutively since 1994-1998 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd places
-New Mexico State Fair 1995
Publications:
-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Santa Fe Indian Market August 1998
-Singing the Clay: Pueblo Pottery of the SW
-SWAIA American Indian News, July 1995