The imaginative and fanciful Carlos and Albert Collection is the unique collaborative effort of two individuals from vastly diverse cultures – Carlos Muñoz, a native of Mexico, and Albert Ickenroth from Holland.
Born in Amsterdam, Albert studied art and also economics at the University of Amsterdam. His fascination with the great masters of his homeland inspired him to seek an outlet for his own creative energies. In 1974, Albert traveled to Mexico on vacation, and became infatuated with the people, the color, and the culture. He decided to take up permanent residence there. Albert began working with several of the country’s foremost artisans, learning the labor-intensive technique of papier maché sculpture. He then applied his talents to other media, including ceramics, metal sculpture, and jewelry.
In 1980, Albert met Carlos Muñoz, an emerging artisan in his own right. Carlos had studied art at the prestigious Cabañas Institute in Guadalajara. He had also apprenticed with the area’s finest craftsmen and studied privately with several university art professors. In Carlos, Albert recognized the ideal collaborator and the Carlos and Albert partnership was born.
Their work pays tribute to the many Mexican masters who have come before them, but they have developed a style that is uniquely their own. Their enduring fascination with Mexico is clearly evidenced in their exuberant use of color and pattern; indeed the influences of both of their cultures are present in the Carlos and Albert Collection. They have both now achieved recognition as master artisans.
The Carlos and Albert Collection is shown in galleries throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and Japan, and their designs can be found in public and private collections throughout the world. Their larger-than-life animal sculptures have been featured in several prestigious international fashion publications.
Crafting process
The crafting process begins by creating the design concept in modeling clay. This forms the basis for a plaster mold and the pieces are cast in ceramic. Once fired and sanded, the pieces receive a base coat of white and are then painted by hand. Each piece is signed by the artisans.
“The creativity of two worlds comes together in each piece that we craft,” Carlos and Albert explain. “Our own individual personalities find expression in every design.”