uoqaus is ceramics practice focusing on the continuation and reinterpretation of cultural narratives and ceramic making practices. With its roots in Salvadoran identity, uoqaus takes deliberate steps to bring forth the history in which it has found itself.
With each object made by hand, Isaac Diaz of uoqaus looks towards Pre-Colombian hand building techniques to help preserve this fleeting, yet ever evolving, relationship that Latin America has with the earth. Collections of ceramics are released slowly, allowing for deep narrative to build and the construction a visual world that has yet to exist.
The word uoqaus derives from a Finnish word, huokaus, meaning to sigh.
uoqaus is a sigh of what can be, a desire for something else.
The image above is of a water jug, or “pichinga”, found at my abuela’s home in El Salvador.
A look back at our spring collection from 2024~ a blend of old Mexican photography and volcanic materials.
Had such a pleasure working with @fern_irene and @jonathanvillaman , our discussions on film and identity confirmed I found the right people for this project.
Bookmarks made of clay that was gathered at the base of volcanoes in Tlaxcala and Puebla in 2021. I have been waiting to use this clay for a long time and finally felt this was a good use for it. A sacred strip of earth, pressed into a petate made in El Salvador.
Petates are woven palm mats used for daily life, from sleeping, sitting, gathering, and then in death a body is wrapped in petate for eternal rest.
These bookmarks contain flecks of mica, giving them a soft glittery shimmer.
Conchita Pourover Filter~ makes you think of pan dulce.
🥖🍰🥧🥐☕️
This crackle glaze is one of my favorites. After each use be sure to clean with hot soapy water and air dry fully :~) made of stoneware
uoqaus’ first zine~ made in collaboration with @kiosk.chi
Available through the link in bio, through Kiosk for Chicago friends and @point.of.view___ for DFW friends.
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