Collecíon de Nacimientos by AntonioSolisGomez

Adriana Cordova was one of my classmates at the University of Arizona in the mid 1970’s and later she became a principal for the Tucson Unified School District. She was Catholic and having participated for many years in Las Posadas, the reenactment of the Holy Family seeking shelter, she began collecting scenes of the Nativity when she travelle, fascinated by the variety that she encountered. Friends and family knowing of her interest also began contributing to her collection that eventually numbered well over two hundred pieces.  Her daughter Teresa Guerrero now displays the collection and I have included a small sample.

What is fascinating is how the devotion of people has manifested in the utilization of cultural attributes with their particular talents and interests.

The Birth of Christ has been a theme for professional artists for hundreds of years and many of the exquisite works of art that bear such a theme are revered and treasured throughout the Christian world. However the majority in this collection of Nacimientos were crafted by local artisans, craftpeople, perhaps even by people doing it as a hobby. So probably it is best to classify them as folk art with a few exceptions.

Navy Blue and Gold tapestry aproximately 36"x 24" Unknown origin

The Holy Family in wax from Bavaria

Holy Family Batik from India

Colored tin Nativity from Poland

Southwest Pueblo Nativity in the Round

Nativity from the Tohono O'Odhom Reservation

Wood Carved Three Wise Men

Two depictions of the Holy Family 

MATA ORTIZ Nativity

African Village Nativity

Wood Bas Relief Nativity from Thailand

Carved coconut Nativity from Hawaii

Mexican Corn Husks Nativity

 Holy Family in starched fabric, porcelaine hands and face 

60" X 15" tapestry of the Nativity

Painting of the Nativity from Guatemala

Incense Burner Nativity in the round

Peruvian Nativity in Ceramic

40"x 60" applique quilt

 Holy Family in Gilded Wire Enclosure

Painted Ceramic Dish Nativity

Inuit Nativity

Embrodiered Cloth Nativity from the Puerto Rico

Black Laquer Nativity in three panelsfrom the Far East

Ted DeGrazia Holy Family