Alan Lasiloo

View Works
More Biographies

At the age of 13, Alan Lasiloo became a novice fetish carver, a renowned art form that dates to pre-history.

The self-taught art took form through experimentation, critiqued and honed by family. Alan is inspired by the art and culture of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greek, Aztec, Mayan, Incas and his own Zuni culture. His appreciation for other cultures helps his art evolve to his own distinct style and merit. The passion to create beautiful art with raw materials is his life … life is art.

As a Museum Studies major at the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, a pottery class evolved into a career as a clay sculptor and potter. The encouragement of mentor, Manuelita Lovato, inspired Alan’s daring creative explorations with native clays from the Salt River to the Zuni Wash and micaceous clay of the Tewa Basin, which affect the thickness, porosity and texture of this pottery and sculptures. Natural pigments are created from found minerals, native plants, and clay mixtures to form paint and slips. The traditional manure firing responsible for the blackness of the pottery, covered with powdered dung during firing, which blocks the entry of oxygen around the pot and the clay is impregnated with black soot. Other methods produce different color.

Having a background in fashion design, I try to utilize what I have learned into my clay sculptures by using lines, curves, and pleats to bring to life and have movement. Thus creating fashion designs with my clay sculptures without the use of fabric.

Styles and shapes, no matter what tribe it represents, this venerable tradition reflects both sacred and secular, with spirit and earth commingled to create what have become modern collector’s items.

Thanks to all the positive people, places, and things that have influence my life, I have a spiritual link to the past of the A:shiwi – my Zuni ancestors.

Alan E. Lasiloo