Tatané Durán Martinoya – Protectores del Desierto

Tatané Durán Martinoya is a Chilean ceramist who has lived in San Pedro de Atacama since the 1980s. Her work is influenced by the Atacama Desert’s landscapes, ancestral cultures, and the traditions of the Likan-Antay people. She specializes in high-temperature ceramics and hand-modeling techniques, creating both functional and sculptural pieces.

Her studio, La Mano Arte, just a few meters from our lodge in San Pedro de Atacama, continues to preserve and promote the region’s artisanal heritage through both production and teaching. At Awasi Atacama, Tatané’s ceramics adorn the common areas and bring an authentic connection to the desert landscape.

• How did you start working with ceramics? Who taught or inspired you?

My connection to ceramics developed naturally. I grew up in a family of creative women, and clay and hand-modelling were part of our daily life. As a child, I learned by watching my grandmother, the sculptor Teresa Vicuña, a master of hand-modeling. Later, my mother, a visual artist and ceramist, became a great source of inspiration and passed on her knowledge and experience in high-temperature ceramic work. With this background, I set out to become a ceramist myself and have been practicing the craft for over 32 years.

• What materials do you use and where do they come from?

In my work, I use clay and mineral materials sourced from different parts of Chile.

• Is there a piece or symbol that represents Atacameño identity for you?

The ceramic figurines Protectores del Desierto (Desert Protectors), which received a Seal of Excellence in Craftsmanship in 2019, are inspired by local pictographs and the traditional clothing of the ancient inhabitants of the Atacama Desert.

• How does the desert landscape influence your work?

My creations are deeply inspired by the desert: its vastness, silence, and subtle colors, as well as its striking geography. The many ecosystems that shape this landscape give rhythm and form to the stories I tell through my ceramics.

• What would you like visitors to take away from their time in Atacama?

A clear understanding that the Atacama Desert is a unique part of the planet. Its geography and ecosystems are fragile and irreplaceable, and belong to all of humanity as a precious treasure.

• Do you think tourism can help preserve traditions? What kind of tourism would you like to see grow in this region?

Sustainable tourism, when practised with awareness, can help highlight and protect cultural heritage and local traditions. But in truth, I would prefer that tourism doesn’t continue to grow unless it shifts toward a more conscious model, one with ecological commitment, respect for the environment and its delicate, irreplaceable ecosystems, and concrete efforts to promote local culture and archaeological heritage.

At Awasi, we share this vision. Our approach to tourism is rooted in respect for the environment and the local communities that surround our lodges. With a private guide and vehicle, guests explore the destination at their own pace, forging a deep and authentic connection with the land and its culture. This ensures that tourism benefits both visitors and the places they encounter.