OUR COLLECTION — LATIN AMERICA — ECUADOR 429. AYALA NATIVITY WITH ANGELS
This 12-piece Nativity was made in Quito, Ecuador by artist Michael Ayala. The pieces are hand-formed in terracotta and hand-painted. The artist signed his initials in wet clay on the back. Joseph measures 4.5 inches tall and 5 inches wide.
The figures wear authentic dress from various communities in Ecuador. Mary (wearing a gold necklace and bracelet) and Joseph represent Zuleta (Pichincha province). The nine angels have gold wings on their back and each plays an instrument (pictured from left): the angel with the bocina Andean horn is from Natabuela (Imbabura province), the angel with the rondador panpipe is from Pujilí (Cotopaxi province), the angel with the violin is from Otavalo (Imbabura province), the angel with the guitar is from Cacha (Chimborazo province), the angel with the platillos cymbals is from Guamote (Chimborazo province), the angel with the accordion is from Salasaca (Tungurahua province), the angel with the drum is from Natabuela (Imbabura province), the angel with the flute is from Pilahuín (Tungurahua province), and the angel with the charangois from Pujilí (Cotopaxi province).
Michael Ayala was born in 1969 in Quito, Ecuador. A self-taught artist, he started very young with naturalist drawings and paintings, representing mainly nature. In 1987 he started painting in oils, inspired by Ecuadorian painters such as Tábara, Román, Villacís and Camilo Egas. In 1990 he made his first experiments with terracotta and ceramics, inspired by popular celebrations and Ecuadorian traditions. He continued to paint with oil and acrylics, sometimes including other materials like seeds, textiles and found objects. His work has been featured in several group and individual shows in museums and cultural centers in Ecuador, the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Chile and Colombia. In 2002 he received a diploma of Master in Ceramics.
The figures wear authentic dress from various communities in Ecuador. Mary (wearing a gold necklace and bracelet) and Joseph represent Zuleta (Pichincha province). The nine angels have gold wings on their back and each plays an instrument (pictured from left): the angel with the bocina Andean horn is from Natabuela (Imbabura province), the angel with the rondador panpipe is from Pujilí (Cotopaxi province), the angel with the violin is from Otavalo (Imbabura province), the angel with the guitar is from Cacha (Chimborazo province), the angel with the platillos cymbals is from Guamote (Chimborazo province), the angel with the accordion is from Salasaca (Tungurahua province), the angel with the drum is from Natabuela (Imbabura province), the angel with the flute is from Pilahuín (Tungurahua province), and the angel with the charangois from Pujilí (Cotopaxi province).
Michael Ayala was born in 1969 in Quito, Ecuador. A self-taught artist, he started very young with naturalist drawings and paintings, representing mainly nature. In 1987 he started painting in oils, inspired by Ecuadorian painters such as Tábara, Román, Villacís and Camilo Egas. In 1990 he made his first experiments with terracotta and ceramics, inspired by popular celebrations and Ecuadorian traditions. He continued to paint with oil and acrylics, sometimes including other materials like seeds, textiles and found objects. His work has been featured in several group and individual shows in museums and cultural centers in Ecuador, the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Chile and Colombia. In 2002 he received a diploma of Master in Ceramics.