A monumental ceramic bottle vase in a matt white porcelain-colored glaze, covered with graphite drawings of diagrams and geometric sketches from Yuri Zatarain's Sketchbook series of ceramic forms. Signed by the maker.

YURI ZATARAIN (b. 1972) was born in Mazatlan Sinaloa, México, into a Spanish-Russian family. He is a painter, sculptor, engraver, and designer. He was attracted to art from an early age and won his first competition at six years of age. "It actually happened quite by accident," Zatarain explains. He had been in possession of some cartoon drawings by two older schoolmates, when his father discovered them and, expounding on the talents of his young son, credited Zatarain for the artwork. To impress his father and fulfill his expectations, Zatarain practiced diligently in secret until he could match, and then exceed, his friends' artistry. The effort led to the aforementioned first-place award in a school contest, and the rest was history. His skill and discipline would lead to a myriad of awards and international recognition in ceramics, acrylics, watercolors, photography, painting, sculpting, and poetry.

Having studied Industrial Design from 1990 to '94 at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara in Jalisco, Mexico, Zatarain became a rockstar in the postmodern art world. He has participated in hundreds of exhibitions around the world—in New York, Paris, London, Milan, Moscow, Dubai, Athens, Verona, San Francisco, Miami, Dallas, Washington, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Rio de Janeiro, Bogota, Santiago, and Mexico City—and his work is represented in countless art collections. Zatarain’s painting, Hombre de Pie (Standing Man), currently hangs in the Los Angeles Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA).

Yuri Zatarain’s works relate a continuous narrative about a god who falls in love with a human woman—each chapter of this story being represented by a collection. Zatarain’s compositions blend the figurative with the abstract while delving into recurring themes of love and honesty. The award-winning artist mixes techniques and uses pencils, charcoal, acrylics, and oils, painting on metal, canvas, wood, or ceramic.

Having designed more than 600 ceramic objets d’art, Zatarain describes himself as a hunter of sorts, constantly pursuing new forms and designs to stay ahead of the trends. Working in a modernist style, Yuri draws inspiration for his work from a variety of places.  For an emotional bond to his progeny, Zatarain often looks to the images throughout his grandmother’s house, his own childhood memories, architecture, weaving, and music as well as the fashion and design atmospheres for his inspiration. Much of Zatarain’s work captures a feeling he terms "ethnic chic," reflecting the ideas of a new age and way of life for people who have grown into a more global community. His materials are always natural. All of his forms are shaped by hand, oven-fired at over 1300 degrees Celsius, painted, rubbed, sanded, and refinished—all by hand.

His studios are currently located in Guadalajara, San Miguel de Allende, and Mexico City.

Art is not a destination. It is a long trip to your inner self. – YURI ZATARAIN

DETAILS

Designer – YURI ZATARAIN

Design Period/Year – 1990s

Maker – YURI ZATARAIN

Production Period/Year – 1990s

Origin – MEXICO

Styles/Movements – ABSTRACT; MEXICAN; POSTMODERN

Materials – CERAMIC, GRAPHITE

Colors – COLORS

Condition – Excellent vintage condition.

Dimensions – 12" W × 6" D × 44 25" H