Oaxacan crafts, a vibrant tradition in Mexico, encompass a wide array of handmade goods, including ceramics, textiles, wood carvings, and alebrijes, each reflecting the rich culture and history of the region. Oaxacan wood carvings, including alebrijes, are a prominent form of folk art, featuring whimsical and imaginative creatures. Alebrijes are fantastical, brightly painted wooden sculptures depicting animals, people, and imaginary creatures, a relatively young tradition that has become a symbol of Mexican folk art. Manuel Jiménez Ramírez (9 June 1919 – 4 March 2005) was a Mexican carver, sculptor and painter credited as the originator of the Oaxacan version of “alebrijes,” animal creatures carved in wood and painted in strong contrasting colours with intricate designs. He was a charismatic and philosophical person, who believed he was the reincarnation of an artist. He began making animal figures of clay when he was a child but changed to wood carving later, creating human figures, nativity scenes, masks and more as well as the alebrijes. His work can be found in public and private collections in various parts of the world, especially in the United States.
Animal figure
carved wood, paint
c. 1965
Manuel Jiménez Ramírez
Oaxaca, Mexico
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