Mardonia Magaña (1865-1947) was a Mexican educator and self-taught sculptor known for his folk art stone carvings and his ability to work with mud and wood. He was discovered by Diego Rivera, who was quoted saying that Mardonia was "the greatest contemporary Mexican sculptor." Before he became an artist, he spent most of his life working as a foreman at the property of Don Vicente Silva in La Estancia Nueva. After the devastation by the Mexican Revolution, Mardonia moved to Mexico City. He started working as a janitor at an art school called Escuela de Pintura al Aire Libre de Coyoacan. While there, he started creating sculptures. Mardonia was the general caretaker from 1925-1928, then was promoted to professor of sculpture the following year. Mardonia's artwork is included in museum and private art collections, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, National Museum of Mexican Art, the Nelson A. Rockefeller Collection and the Frida Kahlo Museum. A portrait of Mardonia is included in a large mural painted by Diego Rivera, called Pan American Unity, can be seen at the City College of San Francisco.
