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Serapio Medrano is obviously a man in love with the
bits and pieces that create the fabric of life in Mexico,
from religion and family life to the birds and beasts
in the courtyard. He is, like his father, emphatically
unpretentious, slight, and bearing a twinkle in his
eye and an easy laugh.
His father, Candalerio Medrano, after a long career
making clay sewer pipe, began turning this clay into
figures and remarkable scenes. Almost overnight, after
years of quietly creating, his work caught fire and
was admired and collected widely, finding a place at
New York’s MOMA. For a broader background go to
El
antiQuario online, a collector’s guide of
Mexican Arts and Antiques. Look for an article on Candalerio
by Allyn Hunt. It is wonderful.
Serapio has followed in his father’s
steps, adding new themes and animals to the mix, as well
as Arcs, Bull Rings, Kiosk’s (bandstands), wizards,
and some incredible people. The colors are electric, whimsical,
and would be jarring except for the enormous energy they
project. Each one is unique, and while there is a “theme”,
it is often engulfed is some turn of mind that adds character
in a whole new way. The pieces are built by hand, and
signed. They are not multiples. Once a piece is sold here,
it will be gone, to be replaced by another original work.

A plaque he proudly displays honoring
his work.

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Serapio showing the
back of a book devoted to folk artists, and his work. |
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Two pieces inside that
were created by Serapio. |
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Serapio is holding
an elegant hardbound work on folk artists in Mexico. He
is pictured on the upper right. |
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