Robert Kasero Sr.

Laguna Pueblo

Robert Kasero Sr.

Robert Kasero Sr. says he learned the traditional art of making pottery from his wife, Acoma potter Paula Estevan, even though his mother, Marie Kasero, had been a student of Evelyn Cheromiah during one of her 4-month courses at the Laguna Arts and Crafts Project in 1973. So he was probably exposed to making pottery but he wasn't interested enough to learn yet as he was growing up. Today, he specializes in striking designs on thin walls of clay. But he uses Laguna clay while his wife uses Acoma clay. And while their designs are similar, each is clearly their own.

Robert lives at Acoma with Paula, among a pretty large clan of kids and grandkids. I asked both of them one day what it was like when they were working. Both said they work at the same time in the same room but not together. And the house is absolutely silent when either is painting. Otherwise there is likely to be some hard rock music playing...

There is an interview with Robert and Paula together where each demonstrates how they make their pottery and what their shapes and designs mean to them.