Matthew Fragua

Artist Profile

Matthew E. Fragua, “Spotted Eagle”, was born into the Jemez Pueblo in 1963. He began experimenting with clay at the age of 16. His inspiration was his great grandmother, Persingula Gachupin. She taught him the fundamentals of constructing clay sculptures using ancient traditional methods which were passed down from generation to generation.

Matthew specializes in hand making koshare storytellers, horses, figurines and he can hand coil pottery. He cleans, mixes, molds, paints and fires his pottery the traditional way, outdoors. Matthew uses all natural colors and clays in his work. Matthew signs his pottery as: M. Fragua, Jemez. Matthew is related to Marie Romero (aunt), Laura Gachupin (cousin) and the famous Maxine Toya (cousin).