Ancestral legacy in his hands
- Jesús works clay in an ancestral manner
- He follows the family legacy he inherited from his father
- His work has earned him several awards
Pottery in the province of Cuenca, Spain, holds great significance due to its history dating back to the 13th century, which many artisans have continued to uphold. In the town of Priego, to this day there are workshops that work clay as they did centuries ago. One of these artisans is Jesús Parra, who learned the craft in the family workshop run by his father, who had dedicated himself to pottery for 50 years. "After finishing high school, I had to choose between starting a university career or pursuing the pottery craft as per our family tradition. The truth is, I did not hesitate. I chose to be a potter because I spent all my free time helping in the workshop anyway, and it was my great passion," confesses Jesús. "I felt it was a responsibility not to let the family tradition fade away, as none of my three older brothers had chosen to continue on this path." Having been a ceramicist for about four decades, Jesús feels he made the right choice.
Interview
- What were your beginnings like?
- When I left school at 19, I became an apprentice, and when I was 20, with just one year of apprenticeship, my father died, and I had to take over the workshop. It was not an easy task. I had to put a lot of effort into it and, above all, all the passion in the world to move forward.
- Why has pottery been so important in Priego?
- Pottery work has been the main source of wealth in Priego. Here, pieces were manufactured exclusively for use – cooking, storing food, transporting water, etc. This provided employment for potters, as well as for those who collected raw materials such as wood and clay. Likewise, others were dedicated to selling the pieces throughout the region.
- Have things changed nowadays?
- I think so. This ecosystem is in danger of disappearing. There is no generational succession. Young people do not seem to want to pursue crafts where you have to work body and soul, long hours, no weekends, and a low economic benefit.
- What did it mean for you to win the Master Craftsman award granted by the Junta of Castilla la Mancha?
- For me, it was recognition for the effort and dedication of a lifetime dedicated to pottery. Another moment I remember with gratitude is when I delivered the proclamation for the Priego Festival and dedicated it to the pottery craft and the potters of Priego.
Jesús Parra is a master artisan: he began his career in 1985 and he started teaching in 1990
Works
Where
Jesús Parra
