Artist Bio

Hand wrought, hand hammered copper objects have existed for over 5,000 years. Today in the small Mexican village of Santa Clara del Cobre, the family of Bricio Pureco produces contemporary works of art using the timeless methods of the true artisan. Eight generations of the Pureco family have been copper artisans since the XVIII century.

Each museum quality object is unique. Each vase, pitcher, jar or charger bears the characteristics of the particular piece of copper ore from which it was created as well as the signature hammer work of the artist. Each piece is signed and dated by Pureco®.

Bricio Pureco has received commissions for commemorative and decorative objects from, among others, the US Pentagon, Westin Hotels, and The Empire State Building.

It starts with the choice of a distinctive copper disc. Forged in a pine bark fire powered by a leather hand-driven bellows, the metal is heated to a temperature of 2,000 degrees. The color of each piece is determined by the length of time in the flame, as well as the temperature of the water in which it is quenched.

Colors can range from gold to dusky crimson. Subtle shadow patterns arise from the nature of the specific piece of copper ore. Each object of arte del cobre martillado can take many hours of artistic labor and several weeks to complete. During production the piece is repeatedly annealed (heated and cooled) to yield wondrous and majestic shadings and shapes.