Joseph Gachupin

Artist Profile

Joseph Gachupin was born in 1953 into the Jemez Pueblo. He was inspired to learn the art of working with clay using ancient traditional methods from his wife, Carolyn Gachupin. His sister-in-law, Emily Tsosie taught Joseph the fundamentals of working with natural pigments found within the Jemez Pueblo. She also taught him special methods to apply when constructing his masterpieces of art. When Joseph first began constructing his art he was occasionally teased about doing women’s work until he became more successful and won more awards for his accomplishments.

Joseph specializes in hand pinched and hand molded corn maidens and corn sculptures. He soaks the clay, screens for impurities, hand mixes with other pigments, hand pinches each kernel of corn, hand shapes, hand paints and fires outdoors with cedar chips. The paints he uses are all derived from natural plants and minerals collected and boiled by Joseph. He signs his art: J.R. Gachupin, Jemez.