Mano-Made: New Expression in Craft by Latino Artists Jaime Guerrero
Mano-Made: New Expression in Craft by Latino Artists is a trio of solo exhibitions by Mexican-Californian craft pioneers curated by Emily Zaiden, Craft in America Center Director. This exhibition catalog focuses on the work of glass artist Jaime Guerrero.
Mano-Made: New Expression in Craft by Latino Artists is a trio of solo exhibitions by Mexican-Californian craft pioneers curated by Emily Zaiden, Craft in America Center Director. This exhibition catalog focuses on the work of glass artist Jaime Guerrero.
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JAIME GUERRERO
MANO-MADE: NEW EXPRESSION IN CRAFT
invented and sourced to serve his
process. He has commissioned specialized
utensils and he is scrappy in adapting
unlikely everyday objects for these
applications. He has relied upon everything
from a fork to imprint curls of hair,
to a butter knife to add facial detail.
“Process is a huge part of why I create.
I think that process is as important as
the idea. In some cases, I think it’s
more important than the idea.”
Guerrero laments the lack of value placed
on skill in the making of things that has
swept the art world and our culture. He
has dedicated himself to advocating for
craft, first training and practicing to perfect
his technique over time and on a continually
evolving basis. Then, applying that
mastery and mentoring others whom he
guides to enter the field.
20
Little Brother, 2017
Blown and hot sculpted glass
33 1/2”h x 14 1/2”w x 14 1/2”d
25
In addition to his studio practice, Jaime
has devoted himself to teaching his craft
to younger artists in Watts, Boyle Heights,
and other underserved communities.
Guerrero has been an advocate for his
neighborhood community. He has worked
to open access for people of color to
work in glass, an expensive medium that
is relatively inaccessible to most. He has
founded two programs with free glass
blowing classes for underprivileged Los
Angeles youth of color. These programs
have given roughly 500 students a sense
of agency, the ability to explore their
potential and their voices, and shown them
that the world is larger and possibilities
exist beyond their surroundings. Prior to
starting his own teaching studio, Guerrero
led the glass program at Watts Labor
Community Action Committee. In 2015,
he started a crowdsourced studio where
local teens could learn to blow glass for
free. He has balanced his time between
mentorship and his creative practice.
Guerrero’s craft is fundamentally motivated
by a desire for social justice and
empowerment. As an artist, he echoes the
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