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Robert Tenorio
Santo Domingo Pueblo
Robert Tenorio
Robert Tenorio was born in 1950 on Santo Domingo Pueblo. Early in life he was working in clay with his grandmother, Andrea Ortiz, and his great-aunt, Lupe Tenorio, but most of his family are silversmiths and jewelers. After high school. he began studying art and jewelry design at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, but he also continued formal training in clay under Otellie Loloma.
When he returned to the Pueblo he no longer had access to the clays and kiln available to him at school. He almost had to learn the traditional art of potting all over again. As he learned, he began collecting native clays and experimenting with the traditional firing methods of his ancestors. Robert has become known for creating pots, canteens and polychrome jars with the shape characteristics and geometric designs of the centuries old style of his Santo Domingo predecessors.
A full time potter since 1970, Robert's work reflects his reverence for his heritage. Santo Domingo has long been known for its utilitarian ware decorated with simple geometrics and birds, fish and floral patterns but never human figures as tribal religious leaders forbid that on pottery made for the marketplace.
Robert signs his work: "Robert Tenorio, KEWA, N.M."
Awards Robert has Earned:
- His first ribbon came from the Heard Museum in 1971 and since then he has won enough ribbons to “make two quilts!” he says
- 1st Place at the Santa Fe Indian Market in Prehistoric Pottery, a category Robert essentially created
- Governor's Award at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 2000
- Two First Place Awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 2004
Where some of Robert's Work is Shown:
- The Peabody Essex Museum at Harvard University
- Nagoya Museum in Japan
- The Royal Family of Great Britain
Polychrome bowl with traditional designs inside and out
3.75 in H by 8 in Dia
Square polychrome bowl with corn and geometric design inside and geometric design outside
4.5 in H by 9.25 in Dia
Polychrome bowl with fish and other traditional designs inside and out
3.5 in H by 8 in Dia
Polychrome plate with traditional birds and other designs
Black and white jar with traditional geometric designs
8 in H by 11.25 in Dia
Polychrome jar with traditional designs
Polychrome bird effigy
4.25 in H by 8.75 in Dia
Large polychrome seedpot with geometric designs
11.75 in H by 17.75 in Dia
Black on redware with bird and geometric designs
5.25 in H by 6.5 in Dia
Lidded polychrome jar with bird and geometric design
13 in H by 11 in Dia
Polychrome pitcher with bird and floral design
7.75 in H by 6.75 in Dia
Polychrome jar with feather and geometric design
5.25 in H by 6.5 in Dia
Polychrome bird effigy bowl
5.75 in H by 9 in Dia
Polychrome bowl with train design inside and out
6.25 in H by 11.5 in Dia
Polychrome bowl with fish and geometric design
3.75 in H by 8 in Dia
Polychrome jar with a black and white geometric design
10.25 in H by 13 in Dia