Wood Carving Tools of the Workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles Ojeda

In this video, we visit the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles in San Martin Tilcajete located in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Angeles are traditional artisans who create small wooden carvings known as "alebrijes." These sculptures are a family affair and all members of the Angeles family contribute to the carving and painting process.

Among the craft villages creating alebrijes, those from San Martin Tilcajete are considered to be among the finest. These works of art are mythical creatures with origins traceable to ancient Mexican religious beliefs, represented by a variety of animal and human features and are thought to embody the spirit of some god or protective power. To make the wood carvings, seasoned wood from the copalillo tree is cut in short lengths. The twisted branches inspire the artists imagination. Forms are roughed out with machetes then refined with rudimentary pocket knives. A small figure might take 5 hours to carve while a larger piece 30 inches or more could take 3 days. The figure is sanded smooth, treated and thoroughly dried before painting. Over the base coat, patterns of intricate brushstrokes and dots are applied. A maguey cactus thorn is sometimes used to jab up to two or three thousand dots per figure. Each piece is unique in size, color and design, and meticulously created by hand.

Excerpt adapted from: http://tilcajete.org/index.htm

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Taller
• San Martin Tilcajete
• TIDES
• sfasu
• digital projects
• Mexico
• Oaxaca
• Art
• Artisans
• Wood Carving
• Copalillo

[TexasTides]

Copal

[linditam]

Tienen muy buenas obras ! :)

[TVboy76]

?Que tipo de madera usan para estos tallados.