Vuelta Sur is delighted to share our interview with Sabino Guisu, a celebrated, contemporary Mexican artist. Born in 1986, Guisu’s family is linked to traditional art and pottery practices. His name, Guisu, translates to ‘potter’ in Zapotec, leaving us to wonder whether his creativity is born from curiosity or if it’s literally woven into his genetic makeup. A graduate of the Institute of Graphic Arts of Oaxaca (IAGO), Guisu’s work uses organic materials — most uniquely, smoke — to create layered works that often depict scenes from nature, as well as portraiture. His exploratory practice often incorporates materials such as wool, mushrooms, honey, bees, wood, stone, and silver.

Creative director: Paola Castelo
Production: Arie Abraham

Trine Ellitsgaard grew up in Denmark before moving to Oaxaca twenty-five years ago. A trained weaver, her studio echoes with a sense of Nordic calm that juxtaposes the colourful streets of Mexico. A master artisan, Trine Ellitsgaard's lifestyle is steeped in intention. "We always tried to live simple," she tells Vuelta Sur, "I don't have a television, I don't have a big sofa; I mean, I live and work, what you do is reflected in the way that you are living."

Her desire to exist with a sense of simplicity is reflected in her work, where she rescues forgotten fires like Henequen from the Agave- Espadin fibre and honours traditional machinery and techniques by 397 bringing them back to life.

Creative director: Paola Castelo
Video production: Ilan Sanchez
Video editing: Ricardo Saldaña

We are pleased to introduce you to Patricia Mendivil from Tata Mosaicos. Patricia's recent work includes rammed earth mosaics made with earth from the local mountains of Oaxaca, a process defined after years of experimentation. The inspiration for her work? Patricia explains, "Being in nature always causes this positive shift in me, a creative shift and a beautiful feeling. Why not bring this feeling into your home? Have a piece of nature with you that makes you feel good."

Creative director: Paola Castelo
Video production: Ilan Sanchez
Video editing: Ricardo Saldaña

Vuelta Sur is pleased to introduce you to Amado Ramirez Leyva, an expert in his field; Amado radiates wisdom. On our trip to Oaxaca, we had the pleasure of spending time with Amado, where he shared the history of heirloom corn and gave insight into the area's Indigenous communities. We could have (and would have!) spent days learning from him and are beyond excited to share his enlightening interview with all of you.

Creative director: Paola Castelo
Video production: Ilan Sanchez
Video editing: Ricardo Saldaña

While visiting Oaxaca, Ana Hernandez, a Zapotec artist from Tehuantepec who, was inspired by her life experiences in the Isthmus, a region in Oaxaca. She describes how her work explores examining traditional objects now made with plastic; she seeks to re-evaluate these lost objects by giving them new meaning. "Every piece I have created is a personal experience relating to my surroundings, mom, my aunts, all the women that were around me-customs, habits and techniques." Ana outlines how the origin of her work is rooted in her rich experiences growing up with the women who raised her and the objects, traditions, hairstyles, and garments important to her culture. Ana's work is tied to her past yet stretches before her with an enormous sense of bright possibility. Learn more about Ana in Vuelta Sur's exclusive interview.

Creative director: Paola Castelo
Video production: Ilan Sanchez
Video editing: Ricardo Saldaña

José Angel Santiago is a plastic artist from Juchitan de Zaragoza, Oaxaca, specializing in painting. His artwork reflects his native language, Zapotec, and his place of birth. He explores nature, ancestral art, stellar phenomena, the cosmology of Zapotec culture, and the visual culture influenced by social phenomena, with the constant image of a serpent. Santiago's unique pictorial techniques, including fresco painting and paint application on pastels, have garnered international recognition.

His work has been exhibited at prestigious venues such as Quetzalli Gallery, Acme Room, Zona Maco, Carrillo Gil Art Museum, and Villa de Arts de Rabat, Morocco, to name a few. José's artistic practice continues to expand, and he draws inspiration from his father's magical stories about farming and reading the sky to fuel his creativity.

Creative director: Paola Castelo
Video production: Ilan Sanchez
Video editing: Ricardo Saldaña