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Woodcarving: Mexican Folk Art, Oaxaca, Indigenous People, Figures, Furniture And Manuel Jimenez
By:
Published: December 4, 2007
When the idea of woodcarving is discussed, furniture and the patterns that can be created on these wooden items come to mind. But if the term 'woodcarving' is mentioned in Oaxaca, Mexico, furniture isn't the first wood product spoken about. Instead of furniture, beautiful, mythical, and colorful wood figures made by the indigenous people come to mind.
Oaxaca is one of the poorest regions in Mexico, but it boasts of an extraordinary grasp of woodcarving. Figures of animal-like creatures are carved from the wood of the copal tree, and these creations are brightly painted. It all began with the concept of Alebrijes, which was truly inspired by the artist Pedro Linares. A master of papier mache, Linares once made masks and pinatas for carnivals and other feasts. A dream came to him one day where fantastic animated creatures appeared in vibrant colors. He introduced these creatures in his papier mache works, and this flash of inspiration proved to have a significant impact on the rest of the indigenous people.
One of the indigenous people Linares inspired was Manuel Jimenez. Jimenez was a simple woodcarver and his woodcarving masterpieces followed very traditional Mexican themes. But once he came across the works of Pedro Linares, he decided to shift from traditional woodcarving and try something new. With carver and copal wood in hand, Jimenez began to make figures similar to Linares' papier mache creatures. Mexican folk art took on a different face, and woodcarving initiated a new wave of art and culture.
Learning woodcarving requires a good amount of patience, concentration, and imagination. Not just any wild animal creature can be created; one has to be inspired by the local animals. Some of these creatures are peacocks, possums, and roosters, and it is up to the woodcarver to turn these animals into figures similar to creations of Pedro Linares and Manuel Jimenez.
Aside from skill in woodcarving, one must also have the eye for color. Wild and vibrant color schemes are seen in these popular animal-like figures, and these remain true to the very colorful culture of the region. Before, aniline dyes were used to brighten up these wood carvings, but over the years, artisans have learned to used acrylic paints after woodcarving. Acrylic paints are brighter and they don't fade unlike aniline dyes.
The woodcarving of these fanciful figures serves as the primary source of living of more than 200 families in the poor area of Mexico. Woodcarving is one of the most profitable forms of Mexican folk art, and a single figure can hundreds of dollars. But with the great amount of skill and time put into woodcarving, there's really no doubt why the prices for these colorful works or art are high.
It all started with one man's dream and this led to the creation of one of the most popular forms of Mexican folk art. Woodcarving is a tradition marked by uniqueness and beauty.
Sources:
"Fine Oaxacan art, wood carvings from Oaxaca, Mexico." Oaxacan Magical Carvings. 27 Nov 2007. http://www.elcoquigifts.com/carvingsox3.asp.
"Alebrije - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Alebrije. 27 Nov. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alebrije.
Oaxaca is one of the poorest regions in Mexico, but it boasts of an extraordinary grasp of woodcarving. Figures of animal-like creatures are carved from the wood of the copal tree, and these creations are brightly painted. It all began with the concept of Alebrijes, which was truly inspired by the artist Pedro Linares. A master of papier mache, Linares once made masks and pinatas for carnivals and other feasts. A dream came to him one day where fantastic animated creatures appeared in vibrant colors. He introduced these creatures in his papier mache works, and this flash of inspiration proved to have a significant impact on the rest of the indigenous people.
One of the indigenous people Linares inspired was Manuel Jimenez. Jimenez was a simple woodcarver and his woodcarving masterpieces followed very traditional Mexican themes. But once he came across the works of Pedro Linares, he decided to shift from traditional woodcarving and try something new. With carver and copal wood in hand, Jimenez began to make figures similar to Linares' papier mache creatures. Mexican folk art took on a different face, and woodcarving initiated a new wave of art and culture.
Learning woodcarving requires a good amount of patience, concentration, and imagination. Not just any wild animal creature can be created; one has to be inspired by the local animals. Some of these creatures are peacocks, possums, and roosters, and it is up to the woodcarver to turn these animals into figures similar to creations of Pedro Linares and Manuel Jimenez.
Aside from skill in woodcarving, one must also have the eye for color. Wild and vibrant color schemes are seen in these popular animal-like figures, and these remain true to the very colorful culture of the region. Before, aniline dyes were used to brighten up these wood carvings, but over the years, artisans have learned to used acrylic paints after woodcarving. Acrylic paints are brighter and they don't fade unlike aniline dyes.
The woodcarving of these fanciful figures serves as the primary source of living of more than 200 families in the poor area of Mexico. Woodcarving is one of the most profitable forms of Mexican folk art, and a single figure can hundreds of dollars. But with the great amount of skill and time put into woodcarving, there's really no doubt why the prices for these colorful works or art are high.
It all started with one man's dream and this led to the creation of one of the most popular forms of Mexican folk art. Woodcarving is a tradition marked by uniqueness and beauty.
Sources:
"Fine Oaxacan art, wood carvings from Oaxaca, Mexico." Oaxacan Magical Carvings. 27 Nov 2007. http://www.elcoquigifts.com/carvingsox3.asp.
"Alebrije - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Alebrije. 27 Nov. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alebrije.
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