omar hernandez
To take tradition and evolve it is at the heart of Oaxacan ceramicist Omar Hernández’s work. Born in Oaxaca, Hernández grew up surrounded by clay and the rhythm of ancestral craft. His father taught him the fundamentals, and by eighteen he was apprenticing in traditional pottery methods and motifs. Yet early on, he felt a pull to reinterpret the familiar, to create a visual language of his own that honors heritage while creating something new.
Hernández’s practice bridges three intertwined realms:
Pre-Hispanic influences, such as ceremonial vessels and ritual objects;
Utilitarian forms, like casseroles, bowls, and jars, which he transforms through intricate surface decoration;
And ornamental works, often inspired by nature — wall hangings, sculptural vases, or large pieces textured with imprints of leaves and stones.
These categories echo the balance found in much of Mexican folk art, where beauty and utility coexist, and where handmade objects carry the spirit of place. Hernández’s reinterpretation of Oaxacan ceramics keeps this lineage alive — not as a static tradition, but as a living, evolving art form.
“I like to work with colors that are found in nature,” he says. “Observing and getting inspired by nature — the texture of tree trunks and leaves.” He fires his pieces in both gas and wood ovens, using sgraffito (scratching designs into clay) or modeling natural elements directly into the surface. In some works, he presses leaves or stones into wet clay before firing, capturing fleeting textures in permanent form.
The result is a body of work that feels both ancient and contemporary. His ceramics reference pre-Columbian forms yet reveal a minimalist sophistication rooted in material honesty and organic design. His famed mezcal copitas, textured with agave leaf impressions, have become emblematic within Oaxaca’s mezcal culture — a symbol of how everyday ritual and artistry intertwine.
Hernández’s workshop sits on Oaxaca’s main thoroughfare. Visitors find not just ceramics for sale, but a hidden mezcalería tucked behind the studio — a fitting reflection of the artist’s world, where clay, culture, and community flow.
