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Photos courtesy of Jan Barboglio.
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Neiman Marcus is hosting artist Jan Barboglio on Saturday, September 12, at noon for a first-time personal appearance in the store’s gift galleries department, where she will discuss the inspiration behind her collection of handmade items for the home, including hammered iron chargers, wrought iron candelabras, serving pieces, and furnishings. The artist, who grew up on a ranch in North Central Mexico, divides her time between her homeland, where the production facilities are located, and Dallas, where she raised her three children. Days before departing for her inaugural visit to St. Louis, Barboglio shared the motivation behind her work, her love of traveling to unexpected places, and why men are drawn to her art.
How did you get started?
There was a time in my life that I was spending a lot of time cooking and lighting candles in the kitchen. I was recently divorced, and my sister and I had closed our clothing company. One night, I was cleaning up the [candle] wax, and I realized I didn’t have a bobeche, which is an under-plate for a candle. I could only find them in a 3-inch size, but I had these very large Mexican candles that needed a 7-inch plate. So I made my own. My sister came over and said, “I want one of those!” The under-plate led to a charger, which led to a tray. I’ve been designing for 19 years.
What is the inspiration behind your work?
I was raised on a ranch in north central Mexico. It is like West Texas: dry and vacant. We had to make our own beauty, so we were constantly playing with rocks. There were a lot of paper flowers, rosaries, Pancho Villa. There’s a history to Mexico that’s very romantic.
What are some of your favorite materials to work with?
I love stone, cement—I love to rub it until you see the pebbles—wood, leather, and crystal. I have classic taste for the home and in clothes.
How would you describe your signature style?
It’s pretty, but masculine. The materials and the combination of materials are unexpected. My style is elegant and classic but with a point of view. My grandfather went to Mexico in the 1800s. I think of myself as more Mexican than American. My father spent his summers there from the time he was 12 years old. Mexico is a beautiful country.
You have a loyal following. Who are your clients?
It’s interesting. Men are drawn to the collection. I don’t know if it’s the weight [of the objects] or their off-balance proportions. But men appreciate that. They also love the stories. That’s a part of it. Each piece comes packaged with a milagro, which tells a story. Some people think you have to live in a Spanish Colonial, Mediterranean, or California home to have my works in their homes. But it’s interesting how we’ve seen them in modern, English, and classic [settings]. The pieces are handmade in Torreon, Mexico. It isn’t a tourist area, and people would have no reason to go there unless they have family living there. The artisans there don’t have any experience with any other type of arts and crafts. It’s their craftsmanship that gives the pieces their fresh perspective.
You love traveling to far-flung locales. Where have you been recently?
I love to travel because it keeps me fresh. I don’t necessarily go to Paris or London. I love to go to unexpected places. That’s where I get a lot of my ideas. I recently traveled to Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with my daughter. There are five different atmospheres there, and I’ve never seen so many heart rocks. My bag kept getting heavier and heavier. I want to do something fun from that trip—I want to do a heart rock collection!
Taking a look at your collection, it seems like you’re doing more with color.
In my home and dress, I don’t do a lot of color. But recently, I like blue cobalt. I like it together with silver and glass. Everybody wants me to do color!
What's your process for creating art?
The longer it takes, the worse it is. It’s agonizing. The more focused I am, the worse it gets! But when it pops up right away, it’s the best.
