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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Guillermo Cuellar
Wednesday 22 November @ 14:46:47 |
 by BETSY MOWRY
Who says St. Paul doesn’t have an art scene? Certainly not the thousands of artists and arts organizations that reside there; certainly not potter Guillermo Cuellar, whose opening at the Raymond Avenue Gallery on Friday night was packed to overflowing.
 Born in Venezuela, Guillermo Cuellar came to the U.S. to study ceramics at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He returned to his home just outside Caracas with his wife, Laurie, and divided his time between farming coffee, creating pottery and guiding wilderness tours. In 1981, Cuellar served as a workshop assistant to Minnesota favorite Warren MacKenzie in Caracas. The two became friends, and in 1984 he was invited to work at McKenzie’s studio with a group of potters.
Ever since then, Cuellar has come to Minnesota almost annually to participate in workshops or to look after McKenzie’s studio while he was away. Because he had established so many Minnesota friends and colleagues, Cuellar and his family decided to immigrate to Shafer, Minn., last year—which is great for us! He is currently creating his new studio, and plans to participate in the annual St. Croix Pottery Studio Tour and Sale next May. The exhibit of his pottery at the Raymond Avenue Gallery was Guillermo's first official foray into the Twin Cities’ urban art scene.
Cuellar’s work is captivating in its simplicity. Smooth, functional bowls, pitchers, mugs and teapots tout rich, earth tones of brown, beige, celadon and indigo. His pieces are refreshing in their traditionalism. Yet there is nothing lackluster about his technique. Glaze is applied unassumingly, accentuating each pot and giving it individuality. Some of the more unique pieces are a series of lidded vessels with angular facades that seem to almost be miniature treasure chests.
There is no repetition in his work—Cuellar loves throwing pots, and each piece is different from all others in size, shape and color. In fact, they almost feel like a personal gift for the buyer, designed to be used and appreciated. A combination of pottery tools and everyday household objects are used to embellish the pottery. Cuellar’s works originate on the wheel and are finished using paddles and utensils such as rasps and cheese cutters.
Working with a treadle style pottery wheel, Cuellar states that a certain volume of production is necessary to make it worthwhile. Quantity is essential, but he doesn’t sacrifice quality. This approach seems reflective of the utilitarian way of life in many countries where the trades are a necessary way of life—the more goods sold, the better.
“My pots are pidgin pots. While old pots remain a reference it is clear to me that I can never be a traditional potter. I love the accidental and surprising interaction of forms and textures from diverse origins. However, I attempt to be traditional in the way my work functions within a home, contributing to the context of daily life.” Despite his humble manner, Cuellar’s work has been widely exhibited and collected.
Cuellar leads South American wilderness trips in Peru, Chile and Argentina. He has been an avid environmentalist since college. When asked how his two career choices relate, he states, “The two are complementary—making pots is very stationary, my environmental work allows me to be out in nature, walking and moving.”
Guillermo Cuellar’s pottery is on display at the Raymond Avenue Gallery through Dec. 15. Because his work is so affordable, there are not many pieces remaining at this exhibit for sale, but be assured that this prolific artist will have another stockpile of his beautiful pottery available again soon. ||
The Raymond Avenue Gallery is located at 761 Raymond Ave. (at University Ave.) in St. Paul. Gallery hours are Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information call 651-644-9200.
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