Mario Mutis - Faculty Spotlight: Open Pedagogy

About Professor Mutis

Mario Mutis was born in Bogotá, Colombia. He holds a BFA in Interdisciplinary Sculpture from The Maryland Institute College of Art, and an MFA in Ceramics from the University of Florida. Mutis has taught sculpture and ceramics at Santa Fe since 2015, and was named the 2022 Professor of the Year by the AFC’s Faculty Commission. Mutis has also returned to Colombia every summer since 2012 to lead independent teaching lectures, and art demonstrations with his community, elementary and middle schools in Bogotá and Cundinamarca.

As an interdisciplinary artist, my practice navigates the realms of tradition and modernity, drawing influence from my rich Muysca/Pastos indigenous culture. Guided by a profound connection to traditional media such as clay, gold, and wood, I embark on a creative journey that pays homage to the roots of my indigenous heritage.
In crafting works grounded in Muysca traditions, I channel the essence of my native visual languages, breathing life into ceramic vessels, sculptural figures, and intricately fashioned gold & silver pieces. These materials serve as both my canvas and my connection to a cultural legacy that spans generations.
Simultaneously, my practice extends beyond the confines of tradition, embracing new media, installations, and found objects to articulate a contemporary commentary on the peculiar dynamics between American culture and indigenous communities. Through this exploration, I seek to unravel the complexities of how these interactions manifest, offering a nuanced perspective on the intersections of past and present.
In essence, my work can serve as a bridge between worlds, a convergence of traditional and contemporary expressions that reflect the beauty, resilience, and challenges inherent in the Muysca experience. It is an endeavor to spark dialogues about cultural identity, the evolution of traditions, and the often-perplexing engagement between indigenous narratives and the broader cultural landscape.
In our native language, Muysca means people.

Spotlight Video

In the following video, Professor Mutis discusses his metal casting project.

Additional Resources

About me

Open Pedagogy