Franklin Peters
Acoma Waterbird
4 1/2"
H x 5 1/4" D
For a young potter, Franklin
Peters has established himself as one of Acoma's upcoming pottery
masters. Expectedly so for he was taught by two of Acoma's most
accomplished potters, Florence and Rachel Aragon. He was furter
instructed by by his mother, Ella Peters and then by several
famous Acoma artists such as, Barbara and Joseph Cerno, Dorothy
Torivio, Fredrica Antonio and Wilfred Garcia.
Franklin has emerged as an
incredible artist with great attention to detail. He has stated
that the "pottery itself is mother-earth.... designs are
about the world around us, which have meaning."
His work is characterized
by bold slips and colors, sharp lines and traditional Acoma and
Laguna designs.
Franklin accepted the honor
of the 2011 Rollin and Mary Ella King Native Artist Fellowship
at SAR. As an emerging artist, Franklin spent his time studying
the Indian Arts Research Center collections to better understand
the techniques and processes of his ancestors. One of his challenges
has been increasing the size of his ollas and to incorporate
more historical designs into his work. He is also interested
in exploring more contemporary designs and advancing his own
sense of style.
Franklin notes, I have already explored different Acoma
styles in my work over the past eighteen years, but look forward
to further developing my pottery by researching the sources of
Acoma pottery designs from the past.