Frank Romero USA, b. 1941
Pingolandia, 1982
Ceramic, earth soil on wood
49.75 x 62.25 x 62.25 in
126.4 x 158.1 x 158.1 cm
126.4 x 158.1 x 158.1 cm
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Pingolandia is a whimsical artwork that blurs the lines between art and craft. The piece features ceramic figures with horse-like heads, their bodies adorned with intricate patterns and assorted colors....
Pingolandia is a whimsical artwork that blurs the lines between art and craft. The piece features ceramic figures with horse-like heads, their bodies adorned with intricate patterns and assorted colors. The creatures become otherworldly, evoking both mythical beings and playful toys. They are placed atop a rectangular box filled with sand, creating a dynamic and tactile stage for their interaction. Romero spent some time traveling Mexico and arrived at a town called Santa María Atzompa, located in the state of Oaxaca. Romero was inspired by the number of craftspeople in this small village, especially ceramic artists. By getting to see the first-hand techniques of these Oaxacan artists, Romero utilized these experiences when creating the Pingolandia installation. Nodding to the Mexican landscape, Romero places a ceramic volcano in the foreground; along with this, he strategically places a couple amidst his “pingos” and a heart - representing love. As Barrientos Martinez explains: “Pingolandia, a fictional earthen landscape filled with ceramic pyramids, freeways, and cars, populated by pingos, mischievous or impish spirits that take the form of a horse head. Pingolandia takes its inspiration from these small towns and villages as well as theoretical conceptions of Aztlán, a primordial homeland for all Chicanas and Chicanos considered by many to have been located in the American Southwest.” The Pingo is a unique subject in Frank Romero’s work. It materialized while Romero taught ceramics to children at Plaza de la Raza in East L.A. and Barnsdall Junior Arts Center in Hollywood. Over time, Romero’s images, such as his pingos decorated with flaming hearts, chairs, and cars, have become personal icons and symbols.
Exhibitions
De aquí y de allá: Frank Romero, A Survey, Ruiz-Healy Art, San Antonio, TX; curator: Rafael Barrientos Martínez, 2024Frank Romero: Paintings, Drawings and Clay, 1974-84, Arco Center for the Visual Arts, Los Angeles, 1984
