EXPERIENCE CFAC 2022 WINNERS ALYSSA JOHNSON

When I started working for BYU Anthropology Department's Dr. Mike Searcy, I never would have guessed that I’d find myself digging and illustrating on an archaeological site. After 6 months illustrating conceptual illustrations of ancient structures, an invitation came to participate first-hand in the very excavation I pulled research from. I readied myself to depart for Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico that upcoming May 2022. For the first time, I would experience working at a dig site and creating art outside of my carefully curated studio.

A pivotal experience was the chance to connect with the internationally-renown potterer, Julian Hernandez. Julian’s profession involved creating intricately crafted pottery based on the traditions of his ancestors, which included the Viejo-period community we were excavating. Taking us into his simple studio, Julian demonstrated through the traditional methods of his ancestors how to make a balanced pot, sand it, decorate it with paints made from natural dyes and brushes made of fine human hair, and how to take agates to polish it. Once I started crafting my own unique pottery I felt a rush of inspiration working with such a passionate artist in such an authentic capacity and the unique experience of creating something so rooted in tradition. Julian’s love for his culture runs deep, and every pot he makes embodies this cultural tradition that spans hundreds of years. His enthusiasm gave me a zeal for my own work, and a personally renewed sense of awe in how art connects the past with the present.

Looking back at the illustrations I made prior to this trip, they felt empty and hollow; they had no personal experience behind them. The illustration I made after taking part in a live excavation and being welcomed into the local community, showed a stark difference in what experience can do for a piece. The first piece was mused upon, the second piece was experienced. The second piece felt lively, and contained personal references to my participation in the dig. From the culturally-significant mountain ranges to bits of pottery based on actual finds, my second piece contained a depth that could only be obtained through authentic participation.

Accepting a rare opportunity such as this was difficult. It involved an amount of courage I questioned whether I had. And yet, despite my fears and apprehension, the support and generosity of BYU friends, family, and faculty overwhelmed me; I could do this if we did it together. And what resulted from that support was a life-defining trip and enduring memories that will influence my art henceforth.

I learned firsthand how skilled these early potters were; I felt excitement when a piece of obsidian was unearthed; and I worked in the sprawling, beautiful, and dangerous landscape they inhabited. This trip illuminated what connection through art can symbolize: it could be a bridge between past and present -the history of a community living on in the memory of others-, or an event experienced by the artist and related to their audience, and it could span academic fields, uniting disciplines as different as the arts and archaeology.

Having experienced the contrast between making work based on experience and work based on conjecture, I realize the power that comes from authenticity. Going forward in creating art and illustrations, I will strive to fill my art with experience and truth, however I can. Placing a newfound emphasis on an authentic voice rather than making art without connection, I realize the depth of art I can create when the message is genuine and personal.

By working at the dig site, I gained an appreciation for how labor-intensive uncovering and understanding the past is, and how much we take our knowledge for granted. Working with Julian, I recognized how ancestral devotion can spark passion. Working in Casas Grandes opened my heart to the power of illustrations and the soul found in each piece. By curating memories and experiences and coupling them with art, something profoundly beautiful arises. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and those who made it possible.