Alfonso Castillo Merino

Carrying Forward a Six-Generation Legacy in Clay

From the town of Izúcar de Matamoros in Puebla, Mexico—widely recognized for its Tree of Life ceramic tradition—Alfonso Castillo Merino continues a legacy that spans more than 200 years. As a sixth-generation artist in the renowned Castillo family, Alfonso began painting in the family workshop when he was just nine years old.

What began as a childhood curiosity quickly became a lifelong commitment. Today, Alfonso works alongside his family, dedicated to shaping clay into colorful expressions of Mexican tradition, drawing on both ancestral knowledge and personal growth. Their work includes everything from skulls and butterflies to Trees of Life that depict cultural stories like the Tecuán dance and mole poblano, a dish traditional to Puebla.

Every piece is handmade from scratch. The clay is prepared in the workshop by straining powdered clay and mixing it with water until it forms a moldable dough. Once the piece is shaped, it is dried, fired at medium temperature, hand-painted with acrylics, and finished with a transparent varnish for protection.

The Castillo family tradition was formally recognized when Alfonso’s grandfather, Alfonso Castillo Orta, received Mexico’s National Prize for Sciences and Arts in 1996. In 1998, their work was designated as Cultural Heritage of the State of Puebla.

Through each new piece, Alfonso honors the deep roots of his heritage while continuing to innovate. Together with his family, Alfonso helps sustain a cultural practice that supports both their community and the enduring legacy of Mexican folk art.

“I would like to keep it alive for many years further.”