Gumercindo España Olivares
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/SshindaWorkshop039.jpg/220px-SshindaWorkshop039.jpg)
Gumercindo España Olivares (13 January 1935 – 17 February 2018) was a Mexican artisan who specialized in traditional toys hand carved from wood.[1][2] He was from a family of toymakers, beginning with his grandfather, which started in clay but switched to wood. In addition to making traditional toys, the artisan also experimented with new designs, such as those related to the history of Guanajuato. His efforts have won him various awards.
Life
España Olivares was from Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas, Guanajuato.[1] He learned toy and mask making from his father and grandfather. The family starting in the business by copying old ceramics toys called “negros” (black) due to their color, opening a workshop called “La puerta vieja.”[1][3] His grandfather traveled on foot as far as Michoacán and San Luis Potosí to sell toys as there was no motorized transportation at that time.[3]
Popularly known as Sshinda or Chinda, the artisan continued this tradition, with his own workshop located behind his house.[1][3] He had a large family which works in some way with the family business even though most have other jobs. This included his wife, children and grandchildren.[3]
España Olivares has also served as his town's historian, with wide knowledge of herbs and his geographic region, much of it learned from his grandfather.[3] He died at the age of 83 on 17 February 2018.[4]
Toy production
Although he began with clay, most of España Olivares’ toy production was made of wood, particularly a wood called copalillo, brought from a nearby mountain. Most toys were made from one piece of wood, unless there are movable parts such as heads, arms and legs. Finished toys were painted with commercial enamel paint.[1]
The kinds of toys that he made varied by season and the holidays coming up, with an eye towards selling in the markets and fairs. Figures included boxers, riders on horseback, clowns, bullfighters and animals, especially birds. They also included items such as carrousels and multi-pieces sets to depict scenes such as bullfights, wrestling matches and even funerals. One very traditional toy were hens and doves whose heads and tails move when a ball attached to strings extending underneath is swung.[1]
The artisan experimented with new designs and themes such as those related to Guanajuato's history, such as the story of Pipila.[1] The artisan believed that in order to make good toys, one had to have a good disposition. If one is angry, toys come out ugly. He also believed the toys have a life of their own as they were made to make people laugh.[3]
His work has earned him recognition including the Cigarrera La Moderna and the Premio Fomento Cultural Banamex in 1996,[1] support from the Programa de Apoyo a las Culturas Municipales y Comunitarias in 2001[5] and the Galardón Nacional from the first Concurso Nacional del Juguete Popular Mexicano sponsored by Museo del Juguete Popular Mexicano “La Esquina” in San Miguel de Allende and FONART.[2][6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano. Mexico City: Collección Fomento Cultural Banamex. 2001. pp. 219–222. ISBN 968-5234-03-5.
- ^ a b Alma Gabriela Pérez (October 1, 2011). "Premian a artesanos". Guanajuato: El Sol del Bajío. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Gabriel Medrano de Luna. "El juguete popular guanajuatense". Mexico: Culturas y Representaciones magazine. ISSN 2007-8110. Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- ^ Yadira Moreno (17 February 2018). "Fallece "Don Sshinda" importante artesano guanajuatense". El Otro Enfoque.
- ^ "Gumersindo España olivares". Sistema de Información Cultural. Mexico: CONACULTA. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- ^ "Artesanos Ganadores" (PDF). San Miguel de Allende: Museo del Juguete Popular “ La Esquina”. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- v
- t
- e
- Mexican ceramics
- Talavera pottery
- Ceramics of Jalisco
- Mata Ortiz pottery
- Tree of Life
- Barro Negro pottery
- Green glazed pottery of Atzompa
- Pottery of Metepec
- Soteno family
- Blanco family
- San Pablito (amate paper)
- Santa María Atzompa (pottery)
- San Bartolo Coyotepec (pottery)
- Ocotlán de Morelos (pottery, blades)
- San Martín Tilcajete (alebrijes)
- Santa Clara del Cobre (copper crafts, Punzo family)
- Teotitlán del Valle (rugs)
- Temoaya (rugs)
- Tlalpujahua (Christmas ornaments)
- Tlaquepaque (pottery)
- Tonalá, Jalisco (pottery, glass, etc)
- Tenancingo, State of Mexico (rebozos, basketry, furniture)
museums and
other promotors
- Museo de Arte Popular
- National Museum of Mexican Art
- Museo de la Laca and the Santo Domingo monastery
- Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca
- Museo Universitario de Artes Populares María Teresa Pomar
- Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque
- Museo de Trajes Regionales
- Marta Turok
- María Teresa Pomar
- National Pyrotechnic Festival
- Museo Nacional de la Máscara
- FONART
- Ciudadela Market
- Palm Sunday Handcraft Market
- Feria Maestros del Arte
- Mexican lacquerware
- Mexican mask-folk art
- Alebrije
- Piteado
- Popotillo art
- Votive paintings of Mexico
- Huichol art
- Sawdust carpet
- Vochol
- Alfeñique in Mexico
- Mexican ironwood carvings
- Traditional copper work in Mexico
- Mexican handcrafted fireworks
- Mexican pointy boots
- Mexico City Alebrije Parade
- Traditional metal working in Mexico
- Traditional Mexican handcrafted toys
- Mexican featherwork