Wood Carving Sculpture

Wood Carving Sculpture » oaxaca https://woodcarvingsculpture.com Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:29:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 Folk Art Oaxaca wood carving Carmelo Sosa 9.5 Tall Mexico Alebrije https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2025/03/folk-art-oaxaca-wood-carving-carmelo-sosa-9-5-tall-mexico-alebrije/ https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2025/03/folk-art-oaxaca-wood-carving-carmelo-sosa-9-5-tall-mexico-alebrije/#comments Sun, 16 Mar 2025 09:32:41 +0000 https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2025/03/folk-art-oaxaca-wood-carving-carmelo-sosa-9-5-tall-mexico-alebrije/
Folk Art Oaxaca wood carving Carmelo Sosa 9.5 Tall Mexico Alebrije

Folk Art Oaxaca wood carving Carmelo Sosa 9.5 Tall Mexico Alebrije

This is a Folk Art Oaxaca wood carving by Carmelo Sosa from Mexico. Standing at 9.5 tall, this one-of-a-kind (OOAK) sculpture showcases traditional Oaxacan carving techniques. Created as an Alebrije, it features intricate details and vibrant colors, reflecting the rich artistic heritage of Oaxaca, Mexico. Artist Carmelo Sosa’s work is intricate and detailed. This beautiful owl alebrije with glass eyes is exquisitely crafted. Alebrijes are whimsical carvings depicting animals, people, objects, and imaginary creatures painted with intense colors and intricate patterns. Although these distinctive cultural artifacts are often assumed to represent a long established, tradition of Mexican folk art, they only began to appear in the 1940s. The owl alebrijes is the healer. Their role was to link the spirits and the real world and guide a person through their lives.
Folk Art Oaxaca wood carving Carmelo Sosa 9.5 Tall Mexico Alebrije

]]> https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2025/03/folk-art-oaxaca-wood-carving-carmelo-sosa-9-5-tall-mexico-alebrije/feed/ 0 Signed Justo Xuana Luis wood carving sculpture Adam Eve tree of life 14 Oaxaca https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2024/09/signed-justo-xuana-luis-wood-carving-sculpture-adam-eve-tree-of-life-14-oaxaca/ https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2024/09/signed-justo-xuana-luis-wood-carving-sculpture-adam-eve-tree-of-life-14-oaxaca/#comments Mon, 16 Sep 2024 05:53:27 +0000 https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2024/09/signed-justo-xuana-luis-wood-carving-sculpture-adam-eve-tree-of-life-14-oaxaca/

Signed Justo Xuana Luis wood carving sculpture Adam Eve tree of life 14 Oaxaca

Signed Justo Xuana Luis wood carving sculpture. Depicts Adam & Eve in the tree of life, supported by skeletons. 14 tall x 3 1/4. Signed on base, in very good condition. _gsrx_vers_1653 GS 9.7.5 (1653).

]]> https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2024/09/signed-justo-xuana-luis-wood-carving-sculpture-adam-eve-tree-of-life-14-oaxaca/feed/ 0 Oaxaca Wood Carving Reading Frog Alebrije 9 Inecencio Carrillo Signed by Artist https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2024/03/oaxaca-wood-carving-reading-frog-alebrije-9-inecencio-carrillo-signed-by-artist/ https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2024/03/oaxaca-wood-carving-reading-frog-alebrije-9-inecencio-carrillo-signed-by-artist/#comments Sun, 10 Mar 2024 08:56:47 +0000 https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2024/03/oaxaca-wood-carving-reading-frog-alebrije-9-inecencio-carrillo-signed-by-artist/
Oaxaca Wood Carving Reading Frog Alebrije 9 Inecencio Carrillo Signed by Artist

Oaxaca Wood Carving Reading Frog Alebrije 9 Inecencio Carrillo Signed by Artist

Oaxaca Wood Carving frog alebrije. Signed by artist Inecencio Carrillo. 9″ long, 7″ in height” and 5.5″ wide. Funny looking with tired eyes from too much reading/studying.
Oaxaca Wood Carving Reading Frog Alebrije 9 Inecencio Carrillo Signed by Artist

]]> https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2024/03/oaxaca-wood-carving-reading-frog-alebrije-9-inecencio-carrillo-signed-by-artist/feed/ 0 Vintage Oaxaca Artist FERNANDO ESPINAL Alebrije Wood Running Rabbit CARVING https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2023/01/vintage-oaxaca-artist-fernando-espinal-alebrije-wood-running-rabbit-carving/ https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2023/01/vintage-oaxaca-artist-fernando-espinal-alebrije-wood-running-rabbit-carving/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2023 01:45:51 +0000 https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2023/01/vintage-oaxaca-artist-fernando-espinal-alebrije-wood-running-rabbit-carving/
Vintage Oaxaca Artist FERNANDO ESPINAL Alebrije Wood Running Rabbit CARVING

Vintage Oaxaca Artist FERNANDO ESPINAL Alebrije Wood Running Rabbit CARVING

Wonderful folk art hand painted wood carving by Oaxaca artist Leonardo Espinal, very nice detail, measures aprox. 13″ x 8″ x 5, signed on bottom, very nice condition. This item is in the category “Art\Art Sculptures”. The seller is “brikwurkskelly” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Africa, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Republic of Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French Guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macau, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion.

Artist: Fernando Espinal
Size: Medium
Signed: Yes
Color: Multi-Color
Material: Wood
Item Length: 13 in
Certificate of Authenticity (COA): No
Region of Origin: Mexico
Subject: Alebrije
Type: Carving
Signed?: Signed
Format: Light Sculpture
Item Height: 8 in
Style: Vintage
Features: Signed
Production Technique: Carving
Item Width: 5 in
Culture: Oaxaca
Handmade: Yes

]]> https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2023/01/vintage-oaxaca-artist-fernando-espinal-alebrije-wood-running-rabbit-carving/feed/ 0 Oaxacan Wood Carving Eleazar Morales Jaguar Oaxaca Mexican Folk Art Alebrije https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/11/oaxacan-wood-carving-eleazar-morales-jaguar-oaxaca-mexican-folk-art-alebrije/ https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/11/oaxacan-wood-carving-eleazar-morales-jaguar-oaxaca-mexican-folk-art-alebrije/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2021 06:26:00 +0000 http://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/11/oaxacan-wood-carving-eleazar-morales-jaguar-oaxaca-mexican-folk-art-alebrije/

Oaxacan Wood Carving Eleazar Morales Jaguar Oaxaca Mexican Folk Art Alebrije

AWESOME JAGUAR WILD CAT ON THE PROWL OAXACA WOOD CARVING BY THE AMAZING ARTIST ELEAZAR MORALES. BEAUTIFUL AND FULL OF AMAZING DETAIL IN THE MUSEUM QUALITY CARVING! ALL AROUND FINE WORK! Eleazar Morales has already achieved the status of a master in wood carving… His true genius of talent is just awe inspiring. Eleazar’s work is quite distinctive. He began carving at the young age of 14, and furthered his artistic development by studying the work of his world famous neighbor Manuel Jimenez. When Manuel Jimenez would discard a woodcarving that did not suite him, Eleazar would study the scraps left behind to further his knowledge of the art of wood carving. Eleazar has certainly come a long way from such a humble beginning, and now his work is shown in galleries around the world. His work is very fine in both the carving detail and the incredible realistic painting done with a very steady and precise hand. We just love the sense of movement in much of his work, and how the painting really reflects the nature of the animal. Eleazar Morales is one of our personal favorites, and we are so excited to be able to share his work with you! There is something very beautiful and sensitive in this Jaguar wild cat carving. There is a great sense of movement and feeling in this piece, as it appears to be on the prowl with his tail curved in the air and his feet positioned in forward motion. Love the detail in the carving as well, as you can feel the belly protruding from the sides and the indentation on the back. A great sign of quality. The tail is the only removable part, and the piece was signed by the artist. Approximate Measurements: 5 3/8″ high x 15 3/4″ long x 3 1/2 deep. Oaxacan wood carvings start out traditionally with a piece of Copal wood, either a piece of the trunk, or one of the magnificent branches of the tree. The Copal wood is a soft wood that is similar to a balsa wood, but the Copal is indigenous to Southern Mexico. After the animal wood carvings from Oaxaca became extremely popular, the Mexican government stepped in to control the supply of the wood, and even created a biosphere to preserve the species. Artists are no longer able to cut trees down though, and must pay increasingly higher prices to obtain a supply of this wood from authorized dealers who maintain a cap on the supply. Currently many artists recognize the importance of preserving these trees, and have communal programs in the villages to replant the Copal, since the tree actually takes about 25 years to mature. The Copal tree takes on a cultural and religious significance in the community as well, since the sap of the tree is used for making incense that is often valued for its ceremonial usage. The figures are first carved while the wood is green, and the artist is able to carve out fantastic details since the wood is so soft. Other wood can be used, so at times you will find cedar or pine, but Copal is the most commonly used wood. The rough outline is done with a large machete, and the positioning of the figure is often determined by the shape of the piece of wood that is sourced. A carver can take a look at the piece of wood, and envision just what kind of animal they will be able to carve, and how to position it. Further refinements to the carving are done using gradually smaller rustic knives, usually fashioned locally from whatever is available. After the figure is carved, it is sanded smooth and left to dry. The drying process can take several months if it is a large piece. While it is drying, the wood will often crack, and then the artist will fill these cracks using wood chips and filler, before again having to sand the figure down. The most valuable carvings are often one piece carvings, carved out of a single piece of wood, but you will often find removable parts like tails and ears, that make transporting these a little easier. A sense of motion in the piece is another sign of quality, as it is also a measure of the degree in difficulty achieved in the particular piece. Twisted bodies, turned heads, raised legs, curved bodies and tails are all indications that an extra amount of work went into the piece of art. Many of the older pieces were painted with natural analine or coal based dyes, but these often faded over time, so most artists switched many years ago to acrylic paint. With the acrylics, more cheerful colors can be achieved, and the paint is more long lasting. We love the sense of color in these cheerful carvings! Oaxacan wood carvings became commonly referred to as Alebrijes, especially after the movie Coco came out, but the term alebrije actually is attributed to the Linares Family who create fantastical paper maiche figures in Mexico City. The term was widely used in Oaxaca after a joint exhibition that was done where both Pedro Linares of Mexico City and Manuel Jimenez of Oaxaca were present. Manuel Jimenez became the driving force behind Oaxacan wood carvings, and is said to have been influenced by the colors that he saw in the work of Pedro Linares. But the actual term “Alebrije” is actually said to have come to Pedro Linares in a dream about fantasy creatures. There is much debate currently in Mexico about the use of this terminology, and who should have the right to use it. As a result in Oaxaca you will also see the terms Tonas and Nahuales, which refer to spirit animals and mystical creatures that take on both human and animal forms. Another term used is Tallas de Madera, or simply wood carvings from Oaxaca. Popular culture, however, has made it more difficult for the artists not to use the term Alebrije when referring to their carved figures, since more and more people have become accustomed to the terminology. It will be quite interesting to see how this plays out in the future. The item “Oaxacan Wood Carving Eleazar Morales Jaguar Oaxaca Mexican Folk Art Alebrije” is in sale since Thursday, September 30, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Latin American\Mexico\Folk Art”. The seller is “scthom1967″ and is located in Blaine, Washington. This item can be shipped worldwide.

Featured Refinements: Oaxacan Wood Carving
Handmade: Yes
Modified Item: No
Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico
Culture: Mexican

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]]> https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/11/oaxacan-wood-carving-eleazar-morales-jaguar-oaxaca-mexican-folk-art-alebrije/feed/ 0 Oaxacan Wood Carving GAZELLE MASK, Alebrije, Mexican Folk Art, Oaxaca Mexico https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/09/oaxacan-wood-carving-gazelle-mask-alebrije-mexican-folk-art-oaxaca-mexico/ https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/09/oaxacan-wood-carving-gazelle-mask-alebrije-mexican-folk-art-oaxaca-mexico/#comments Wed, 29 Sep 2021 08:04:28 +0000 http://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/09/oaxacan-wood-carving-gazelle-mask-alebrije-mexican-folk-art-oaxaca-mexico/

Oaxacan Wood Carving GAZELLE MASK, Alebrije, Mexican Folk Art, Oaxaca Mexico

I’m generally not a “head mounted on wall” kind of person but I would absolutely make an exception for this gazelle mask, which was carved with the intention of hanging on a wall. It is so nicely painted in different geometric designs with deep, rich, shades of greens and blues. Hand-carved from a single piece of Copal wood and painted by the Hernandez-Melchor Workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico Approx 8.5″ high x 4 wide x 2.5″ deep. Signed If you’ve stumbled across this listing and don’t know what an “alebrije” is… The term “alebrije” has evolved to be synonymous with “Oaxacan Wood Carving”. These carvings are made in small workshops in several towns on the outskirts of Oaxaca, Mexico. They are often prized by collectors of Mexican Folk Art. More Oaxacan Woodcarvings can be found by clicking. More Mexican Folk Art can be found by clicking. The item “Oaxacan Wood Carving GAZELLE MASK, Alebrije, Mexican Folk Art, Oaxaca Mexico” is in sale since Sunday, June 20, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Latin American\Mexico\Folk Art”. The seller is “mexicanaccents” and is located in Greenfield, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped worldwide.

Featured Refinements: Alebrije Folk Art
Handmade: Yes
Modified Item: No
Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico

]]> https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/09/oaxacan-wood-carving-gazelle-mask-alebrije-mexican-folk-art-oaxaca-mexico/feed/ 0 OWL Large Colorful Alebrije Hand Crafted Wood Carving Oaxacan Folk Art Oaxaca https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/09/owl-large-colorful-alebrije-hand-crafted-wood-carving-oaxacan-folk-art-oaxaca/ https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/09/owl-large-colorful-alebrije-hand-crafted-wood-carving-oaxacan-folk-art-oaxaca/#comments Sat, 11 Sep 2021 03:40:08 +0000 http://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/09/owl-large-colorful-alebrije-hand-crafted-wood-carving-oaxacan-folk-art-oaxaca/

OWL Large Colorful Alebrije Hand Crafted Wood Carving Oaxacan Folk Art Oaxaca

This is a striking hand carved wood owl with extraordinary detailed painting in tons of colors on a great carving. The painting is on a black base in endless colored patterns throughout. The painting is highlighted with dimensional dots of paint. The back of the owl is a fantastic geometric blanket of patterns within circles in mostly black and grey = FABULOUS. This unique work is of the wonderful artist Bernarda Rios. This owl is approximately 11″ wide and 6 3/4″ tall. Alebrijes, which are Mexico’s fantastic, imaginative figures, are made of copal wood in Oaxaca, Mexico. Oaxaca’s wood carvings are collected world-wide and are exhibited in galleries and museums. This beautiful unique owl would be a wonderful addition to any collection. The item “OWL Large Colorful Alebrije Hand Crafted Wood Carving Oaxacan Folk Art Oaxaca” is in sale since Monday, March 23, 2020. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Latin American\Mexico\Folk Art”. The seller is “oneworldcrafts2015″ and is located in Miami, Florida. This item can be shipped to United States.

Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico
Featured Refinements: Alebrije Folk Art

]]> https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/09/owl-large-colorful-alebrije-hand-crafted-wood-carving-oaxacan-folk-art-oaxaca/feed/ 0 Oaxacan Wood Carving Eleazar Morales Owl Bird Oaxaca Mexican Folk Art Alebrije https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/08/oaxacan-wood-carving-eleazar-morales-owl-bird-oaxaca-mexican-folk-art-alebrije/ https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/08/oaxacan-wood-carving-eleazar-morales-owl-bird-oaxaca-mexican-folk-art-alebrije/#comments Sat, 07 Aug 2021 11:57:57 +0000 http://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/08/oaxacan-wood-carving-eleazar-morales-owl-bird-oaxaca-mexican-folk-art-alebrije/

Oaxacan Wood Carving Eleazar Morales Owl Bird Oaxaca Mexican Folk Art Alebrije

AWESOME OWL IN FLIGHT OAXACA WOOD CARVING BY THE AMAZING ARTIST ELEAZAR MORALES. BEAUTIFUL AND FULL OF AMAZING DETAIL IN THE MUSEUM QUALITY CARVING! ALL AROUND FINE WORK! Eleazar Morales has already achieved the status of a master in wood carving… His true genius of talent is just awe inspiring. Eleazar’s work is quite distinctive among the carvers, and the rest of his well known family. He began carving at the young age of 14, and furthered his artistic development by studying the work of his world famous neighbor Manuel Jimenez. When Manuel Jimenez would discard a woodcarving that did not suite him, Eleazar would study the scraps left behind to further his knowledge of the art of wood carving. Eleazar has certainly come a long way from such a humble beginning, and now his work is shown in galleries around the world. His work is very fine in both the carving detail and the incredible realistic painting done with a very steady and precise hand. We just love the sense of movement in much of his work, and how the painting really reflects the nature of the animal. Eleazar Morales is one of our personal favorites, and we are so excited to be able to share his work with you! This is one spectacular owl! The carving of the outstretched wings in just amazing, and add that incredible sense of movement that is so hard for a carver to achieve. We love the painting technique that closely resembles the bird’s feathers, and the graphic nature of the combination of white, black, yellow and gray colors. The owl was signed by the artist, and there are no removable parts. Approximate Measurements: 8 1/4″ high x 4 3/4″ wide x 3 1/4 deep. The item “Oaxacan Wood Carving Eleazar Morales Owl Bird Oaxaca Mexican Folk Art Alebrije” is in sale since Friday, May 22, 2020. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Latin American\Mexico\Folk Art”. The seller is “scthom1967″ and is located in Blaine, Washington. This item can be shipped worldwide.

Modified Item: No
Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico
Featured Refinements: Oaxacan Wood Carving
Culture: Mexican
Handmade: Yes

]]> https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/08/oaxacan-wood-carving-eleazar-morales-owl-bird-oaxaca-mexican-folk-art-alebrije/feed/ 0 ARMADILLO Alebrije Standing Hand Crafted Oaxacan Wood Carving Oaxaca Mexico https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/07/armadillo-alebrije-standing-hand-crafted-oaxacan-wood-carving-oaxaca-mexico/ https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/07/armadillo-alebrije-standing-hand-crafted-oaxacan-wood-carving-oaxaca-mexico/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:42:40 +0000 http://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/07/armadillo-alebrije-standing-hand-crafted-oaxacan-wood-carving-oaxaca-mexico/

ARMADILLO Alebrije Standing Hand Crafted Oaxacan Wood Carving Oaxaca Mexico

This is a fabulous work of art! This beautiful armadillo is a unique, interesting carving – standing with a ridged back and outstanding tail. It has a wonderful face and arms up. The painting is terrific. Many colors are used to make this piece a lively beautiful mosaic. Alebrijes are Mexico’s fantastic, imaginative figures – they are often called “creatures of the dreams and the imagination”. They are hand-carved and hand-painted of copal wood in Central Mexico where I travel annually to select affordable high quality and imaginative pieces. This extraordinary standing armadillo is approximately 8 3/4″ tall and 8 1/2″ long. This terrific piece would be a great gift or a wonderful addition to any collection. The item “ARMADILLO Alebrije Standing Hand Crafted Oaxacan Wood Carving Oaxaca Mexico” is in sale since Friday, October 11, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Latin American\Mexico\Folk Art”. The seller is “oneworldcrafts2015″ and is located in Miami, Florida. This item can be shipped to United States.

Featured Refinements: Alebrije Folk Art
Handmade: Yes
Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico
Culture: Mexican

]]> https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/07/armadillo-alebrije-standing-hand-crafted-oaxacan-wood-carving-oaxaca-mexico/feed/ 0 Oaxacan Wood Carving Saul Aragon Octopus Coastal Oaxaca Mexico Folk Art Alebrije https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/07/oaxacan-wood-carving-saul-aragon-octopus-coastal-oaxaca-mexico-folk-art-alebrije/ https://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/07/oaxacan-wood-carving-saul-aragon-octopus-coastal-oaxaca-mexico-folk-art-alebrije/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2021 06:32:02 +0000 http://woodcarvingsculpture.com/2021/07/oaxacan-wood-carving-saul-aragon-octopus-coastal-oaxaca-mexico-folk-art-alebrije/

Oaxacan Wood Carving Saul Aragon Octopus Coastal Oaxaca Mexico Folk Art Alebrije

FANTASTIC LARGE BLUE GREEN PURPLE AND ORANGE OCTOPUS MARINE LIFE OAXACA WOOD CARVING BY THE HIGHLY TALENTED WOOD CARVER SAUL ARAGON. WONDERFUL MUSEUM QUALITY WORK!! WHIMSICAL AND FUN WITH A GREAT SENSE OF MOTION!! This is my favorite wood carving from Saul and Alma Aragon, and the one that I look to as their signature piece. We are so excited to be able to actually feature it here on our website. It normally sells out at our museum shows before we ever get a chance to list it. We met this wonderfully talented couple on one of our last trips to Oaxaca, and we are so excited to now carry their spectacular wood carvings! Saul and Alma are from Arrazola, a beautiful town just outside of Oaxaca City, and the village that many would call the birthplace of the Oaxacan Wood Carvings. Arrazola is located close to the famous ruins of Monte Alban and the newly opened ruins at Atzompa. The area is rich in history and tradition, and you can readily see the traditional patterns displayed prominently in the designs of Saul and Alma. The family has been carving these fantastic pieces since the 1980’s, and their expertise really shows. Although paying homage to the traditions of the past, Saul and Alma are always looking towards the future as well. Saul is the President of the EcoAlebrijes Association, a cooperative of fifteen families from Arrazola that are committed to respecting the natural resources used in their work, and protecting the future of the copal trees from which the carvers craft these fantastic creatures that we all love so much. We especially love their reforestation projects! This octopus is full of whimsy and special creative details.. Perfect in both the actual carving and the painting. It has such a spectacular and hard to achieve sense of movement in the wild tentacles flying through the air in circular movement!! I just love this! And the painting technique is full of a wonderful texture with raised painted circles in a burst of cheerful color! I just cannot say enough good things about this spectacular carving! This piece was signed by the artists, and there are no removable parts! Approximate Measurements: 5 7/8″ high x 13 3/4″ wide x 15 deep. Oaxacan wood carvings start out traditionally with a piece of Copal wood, either a piece of the trunk, or one of the magnificent branches of the tree. The Copal wood is a soft wood that is similar to a balsa wood, but the Copal is indigenous to Southern Mexico. After the animal wood carvings from Oaxaca became extremely popular, the Mexican government stepped in to control the supply of the wood, and even created a biosphere to preserve the species. Artists are no longer able to cut trees down though, and must pay increasingly higher prices to obtain a supply of this wood from authorized dealers who maintain a cap on the supply. Currently many artists recognize the importance of preserving these trees, and have communal programs in the villages to replant the Copal, since the tree actually takes about 25 years to mature. The Copal tree takes on a cultural and religious significance in the community as well, since the sap of the tree is used for making incense that is often valued for its ceremonial usage. The figures are first carved while the wood is green, and the artist is able to carve out fantastic details since the wood is so soft. Other wood can be used, so at times you will find cedar or pine, but Copal is the most commonly used wood. The rough outline is done with a large machete, and the positioning of the figure is often determined by the shape of the piece of wood that is sourced. A carver can take a look at the piece of wood, and envision just what kind of animal they will be able to carve, and how to position it. Further refinements to the carving are done using gradually smaller rustic knives, usually fashioned locally from whatever is available. After the figure is carved, it is sanded smooth and left to dry. The drying process can take several months if it is a large piece. While it is drying, the wood will often crack, and then the artist will fill these cracks using wood chips and filler, before again having to sand the figure down. The most valuable carvings are often one piece carvings, carved out of a single piece of wood, but you will often find removable parts like tails and ears, that make transporting these a little easier. A sense of motion in the piece is another sign of quality, as it is also a measure of the degree in difficulty achieved in the particular piece. Twisted bodies, turned heads, raised legs, curved bodies and tails are all indications that an extra amount of work went into the piece of art. Many of the older pieces were painted with natural analine or coal based dyes, but these often faded over time, so most artists switched many years ago to acrylic paint. With the acrylics, more cheerful colors can be achieved, and the paint is more long lasting. We love the sense of color in these cheerful carvings! Oaxacan wood carvings became commonly referred to as Alebrijes, especially after the movie Coco came out, but the term alebrije actually is attributed to the Linares Family who create fantastical paper maiche figures in Mexico City. The term was widely used in Oaxaca after a joint exhibition that was done where both Pedro Linares of Mexico City and Manuel Jimenez of Oaxaca were present. Manuel Jimenez became the driving force behind Oaxacan wood carvings, and is said to have been influenced by the colors that he saw in the work of Pedro Linares. But the actual term “Alebrije” is actually said to have come to Pedro Linares in a dream about fantasy creatures. There is much debate currently in Mexico about the use of this terminology, and who should have the right to use it. As a result in Oaxaca you will also see the terms Tonas and Nahuales, which refer to spirit animals and mystical creatures that take on both human and animal forms. Another term used is Tallas de Madera, or simply wood carvings from Oaxaca. Popular culture, however, has made it more difficult for the artists not to use the term Alebrije when referring to their carved figures, since more and more people have become accustomed to the terminology. It will be quite interesting to see how this plays out in the future. The item “Oaxacan Wood Carving Saul Aragon Octopus Coastal Oaxaca Mexico Folk Art Alebrije” is in sale since Friday, July 2, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Latin American\Mexico\Folk Art”. The seller is “scthom1967″ and is located in Blaine, Washington. This item can be shipped worldwide.

Featured Refinements: Oaxacan Wood Carving
Handmade: Yes
Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico
Culture: Mexican

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