Debbie Brown

Native American, b. 1962

Jar
1982

Earthenware
9.75 x 11.5 x 11.5 in. (24.765 x 29.21 x 29.21 cm)
Gift of the Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation
1984.1335

Debbie Brown’s Jar combines both intricacy and elegance through its balancing of geometric surface design and curvilinear form. Brown often works on a larger scale than typical Acoma pottery, embracing a mixture of traditional design motifs and contemporary geometric patterns. While committed to upholding the pottery techniques of her family, Brown demonstrates in Jar that continual reinterpretation of those traditions has been a key characteristic of contemporary Native ceramists.

Debbie Brown is descended from two of the Four Matriarchs of Acoma ceramics: her mother, Sarah Garcia, and grandmother, Jessie Garcia. She grew up learning traditional techniques while assisting her mother and grandmother with their works.

Matthew Limb

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This object was included in the following exhibitions:

• Ceramic Case 1: Native Patterns (left) and Pots & Bowls (right) , 8/17/2012 - 5/7/2014
• Unearthed , 8/23/2022 - 5/14/2023
• SC Fall 24 - Native American Ceramics of the Southwest , 8/13/2024 - 5/2/2025

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