Rose Gonzales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rose Cata Gonzales
Born	1900 (1900)
Died	1989 (aged 88–89)
Nationality	Tewa American
Education	Ramona Sanchez Gonzales
Known for	Pottery
Movement	Influenced pottery making at San Ildefonso
Spouse(s)	Robert Gonzales ​ (m. 1920)​
Awards	Numerous awards from the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial

Rose Cata Gonzales (1900–1989) was a famous Native American artist. She was born in Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, New Mexico. Rose was well-known for her unique carved black pottery. She also made traditional pottery in the style of her home pueblo.

Rose's Early Life and Moving to San Ildefonso

Sadly, Rose's parents passed away when she was very young. She and her sister, Pomasen, became orphans. They went to live with a relative named Mary Cata.

In 1920, Rose married Robert Gonzales. She and her sister then moved to Robert's home, the San Ildefonso Pueblo. This is where Rose's amazing pottery journey truly began.

Learning to Make Pottery

Rose learned how to make pottery from her mother-in-law, Ramona Sanchez Gonzales. Ramona taught her different pottery styles. These included black-on-black, polished blackware, and black-on-red pottery.

By 1930, Rose was making very smooth and shiny blackware and redware pots. The beautiful red pottery she created came from the traditions of her home, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo.

Rose's Unique Carved Pottery

In 1930, Rose started something new and exciting. She began to create deeply carved pottery. Her carved blackware pottery was a completely original idea.

She said the idea came from a piece of carved pottery. Her husband found it while he was deer hunting. Rose used a sharp knife and a chisel to carve her designs.

How Rose Carved Her Designs

Rose carefully sanded the edges of her carvings. This made a "cameo" style, where the design stood out. She also sanded the edges to make them more rounded.

She used an old-style yucca brush to add painted designs. Some of her favorite designs were the Avanyu (water serpent), birds, and clouds. She also liked seeds uncurling, thunderbird (mythology) figures, and kiva steps.

Firing Her Pottery

When firing her pots, Rose used juniper wood and cow dung. She placed the pots upside down on a metal grate. This allowed the flames to swirl evenly around them. She could often fire up to twenty pots at one time.

Success and Influence

During the 1930s and 1940s, Rose traded her special pots for food. This helped her feed her large family. By the 1970s, she had become a very successful potter.

She won many awards from the Santa Fe Indian Market. She also received awards from the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial.

Passing on Her Skills

Rose taught her son, Tse-Pe, how to make pottery. She also taught his wife, Dora, and their daughter, Irene. Sometimes, Rose and Tse-Pe worked together. They especially liked making pottery with duotones. These are two shades of the same color.

Tse-Pe also carves pottery. However, he prefers a style called sgraffito. This is when designs are carved in low relief, meaning they are not as deep.

Rose Cata Gonzales had a big impact on pottery making at San Ildefonso. Today, her pieces are very valuable to collectors. She passed away in 1989.