P.O. Box 1763, Española, NM 87533
Welcome to Daryl Whitegeese Pottery
A Family Tradition
A singular success, his works carry on the traditional forms and designs of the past with a style welcomed by the art world of today. Coming from a family rich in cultural heritage it is no wonder that Daryl has such talent with his pottery. Daryl has acquired his knowledge of pottery having worked alongside his mother Lu Ann Tafoya, the recipient of the Southwestern Association for Indian Art Best of Show Award in 2005.
I was influence by my mother to learn how to work with clay. Although I had made a few small pieces prior, it wasn’t until 2001 that I started making my works as a form of financially supporting my family. I have been blessed to have received many awards for my pottery at both the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum show in Phoenix, Arizona.
An Inheritance
Daryl is the grandson of Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001), who produced exceptionally large vessels and was known as the Matriarch of the Santa Clara Pueblo Potters. In 1978 and 1979 she was awarded the Best of Show Award from the Southwestern Association for Indian Art.
The coil built pottery Daryl creates is from clay found in the hills of the Santa Clara Pueblo. A polishing stone rubbed against liquefied clay brushed onto the pottery creates the mirror-like, high luster finish he is known for. After wood firing of the pottery all the many hours of work come together.
The Tradition of the Tafoya Family Pottery
The strength and beauty that I seen in my mother and grandmother are the qualities I try to mirror in my pottery. In my mother I find it is where my motivation to up hold tradition comes from. I am conscious of staying constant to tradition, to keep the pottery so that it continues to represent the family and our past. Careful not to make a change today that becomes tomorrow’s tradition for the next generations.