Juan Barroso’s creation of painted ceramics is a devotional act, honoring his family, his Mexican heritage, and the labor of immigrant workers.
Barroso, who was born in the US but raised in both Mexico and the US, makes and decorates functional ceramics to honor the labor of Mexican immigrants, including his own family, in the United States. Using a tiny watercolor brush and pointillist techniques, he methodically creates thousands of small dots on each vessel he makes, depicting working hands and bodies, animals, faces, and tools. His works range from sculptural forms symbolizing Mexican immigrant laborers, such as water jugs and safety helmets, to conventional mugs, vases, and pitchers. Barroso wrote about his piece Honoring the Janitor—a large, fully functional ceramic mop bucket painted with an image of a janitor—in “What’s in a Vessel?” in the Spring 2023 issue of American Craft. He was a member of ACC’s 2022 Emerging Artist Cohort.
How do you describe your work or practice in 50 words or less?
I paint detailed images about the plight, struggle, hope, and heritage of Mexican immigrants on porcelain vessels using a small watercolor brush. My process is time-consuming and labor-intensive. I see it as an act of devotion and a way to stay connected to my family, our values, and our culture.
Juan Barroso, Perhaps This Place Is Not A Home, 2023, hand-painted underglaze, porcelain, 6 x 3.25 x 3.25 in.
