Wood carving has been an ancestral tradition since the Zapotec people (Henderson, 2015). Since the 1980’s, this craft is utilized to create Alebrijes. Talented craftsmen from Oaxaca, hand carve sculptures made from copal wood with colorful patterns and colors. These sculptures usually depict animals native to their land, such as armadillos, and are sold for profit. Men usually do the carving and sanding, “they recognize the figure within the wood, then use simple tools such as machetes, carving knives, and chisels to bring out the shape” then the piece is sanded and dried for months (Penland). Another huge part of the art scene of Oaxaca, Mexico, is catoneria or paper mache. Much like the Alebrijes, craftsmen create sculptures used recycled paper and other supplies such as paint and other decorative items to garnish the sculptures (CreaviteHandsofMexico.com). This urban form of folk art is utilized to decorate for a traditional Mexican celebration El Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the
Wood carving has been an ancestral tradition since the Zapotec people (Henderson, 2015). Since the 1980’s, this craft is utilized to create Alebrijes. Talented craftsmen from Oaxaca, hand carve sculptures made from copal wood with colorful patterns and colors. These sculptures usually depict animals native to their land, such as armadillos, and are sold for profit. Men usually do the carving and sanding, “they recognize the figure within the wood, then use simple tools such as machetes, carving knives, and chisels to bring out the shape” then the piece is sanded and dried for months (Penland). Another huge part of the art scene of Oaxaca, Mexico, is catoneria or paper mache. Much like the Alebrijes, craftsmen create sculptures used recycled paper and other supplies such as paint and other decorative items to garnish the sculptures (CreaviteHandsofMexico.com). This urban form of folk art is utilized to decorate for a traditional Mexican celebration El Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the