A member of Taos Pueblo, Angie Yazzie was born and reared in Taos, where she has lived all her life. Primarily a self-taught potter, she was introduced at the age of seven or eight to traditional pottery techniques by her mother, Mary Archuleta, and her maternal grandmother, Isabel C. Archuleta. As a child, she was fortunate to live with her grandparents for a few years and was exposed to many different arts sold at their Taos Pueblo shop. Yazzie is a master micaceous clay potter, recognized for the thinness of the walls and the variety of shapes she employs. Micaceous pottery has a special glow due to the mica that occurs naturally in northern New Mexico clay. Pots are constructed of hand-coiled clay, which is then smoothed into shape and sanded. Firing is done in an outside pit with dry cedar or bark. In addition to showings and invitationals, Yazzie’s work is in various private and museum collections throughout the world. Her use of traditional techniques coupled with inspiration from traditional prayer and meditation are what makes her pieces unique. She resides on the Taos Pueblo, where she works out of her home and studio.

AngieYazzie.com