News
The Colors Of Spain
By Caitlin Stolzenthaler
RED BANK - A famous Spanish potter arrived here Tuesday night to showcase his work on the Jersey Shore.
"I'm famous, but in a small country," explained the artist, simply known as Tito, through a translator at Carter and Cavero Old World Olive Oil Company on Monmouth Street in Red Bank.
The modest artist, 39, will show his work and create new pottery on location at Carter and Cavero's Red Bank store, as well as its new Pier Village location, Friday through Sunday.
This is the second year he has visited the store, which is the exclusive carrier of his work here.
"I'm very happy to be here for a second year because that shows growth," he said.
The son of a well-known potter, Tito has been an artist since he was young and a professional since age 20.
Last year, the native of the city of Ubeda in the southern Spanish province of Jaen received the 2008 Spanish National Artisan Award.
Tito's work reflects the Spanish Renaissance style of pottery of the 15th and 16th centuries.
"The renaissance was a great time for Spain because of the richness, and the colors and life there for that time," noted the artist, whose pieces are done in a wide range of colors and intricately detailed.
A large wine jug boasts a panel of hand-painted red and green flowers topped by a wave-like scroll of green and orange; a blue water pitcher has a woven design. A table topped with leaf-green pieces reflects the popularity of the color in Tito's homeland.
"Green is very popular because that's what's in the [Ubeda] region," he noted. The pottery colors are earth-derived oxides.
"We try to respect the environment. We take what we can, but try not to disrupt the region," Tito said of gathering the oxides.
Tito likes "everything" about staying at the Jersey Shore and is looking forward to seeing the beach.
"There's a lot of vegetation. I'm amazed at how spacious things are here [in comparison to Spain]."
Tito hopes his show audiences learn something new this weekend.
"First, [I want them] to like it, but mostly I want them to see the beauty in the work," he said, noting that he is honoring two thousand- year-old techniques. "It's almost a miracle that pottery lasted that long, especially when technology [has become] so advanced.
"They're getting a piece of history," he said.
The shows will run in Red Bank at 19 Monmouth Street Saturday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5 p.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday 11-1; in Pier Village, Friday from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday 3-6p.m. For more information, e-mail info@carterandcavero.com or call (732) 219-0506.
