Virtual Museum of Oaxacas Carvers Past and Present

Oaxacan carvers past & present

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Oaxacan woodcarving is an ever evolving art form with new and exciting works emerging from all over the region. Some artists gain popularity with innovative motifs while others fade into obscurity. The purpose of this archive is to document the ones who have had the most influence in Oaxacan carving. Some of the artists seen here still carve while others disappeared long ago.


	Melchor Ortega indulgies in the fluid assortment of purest colors and details that only appear upon second glance.


	Ramiro Aragon is an offbeat artist who views art in a swirled rainbow lens. Lucky collectors will find his works the eye catchers of a collection.


	Marco Garcia is an exceptional crafter of the larger home designers dream sized animals. Beasts that come to life from a single piece of wood are painted to pastel splendor with all the borrowed styles of other masters.


	Visitors to Leoncino Martinez's studio will notice a picture of him and David Bowie holding one of his bizarre skeletons, however, it is his giant sized gorillas with the weight of a bowling ball that give him notoriety.


	Exceptional painstaking painting of endless interwoven glyphs and tapestries characterize the work of Aurora Sosa. Her dazzling designs have great variation in themes. Intelligent duotone glyphs or pointalistic animals within animals are her painting specialties.


	Known primarily for his fantastic angels Epifanio Fuentes brought the anteater to the world of alebrijes. He has passed his gift onto his talented children as well.


	Armando Jimenez is highly confident carver. His energy and enthusiasm transmit into each piece. He is the grandson of Manuel Jimenez and follows his tradition in scale and design.


	The venerable Mario Castellanos is miles above other iguana artists. The way his reptiles stare back at you is both bizarre and a delight. Easily considered the best in his genre and highly collectable.


	Christina Ibanez carves as if she is sculpting from stone. Mermaids, exotic birds and centaurs are some of her most notables.


	Hilario Blas is one of the most inventive in his large family carvers residing San Pedro Cajonos. He is an exceptionally gifted painter and you need the sharpest of eyes to find see all the details.


	Sergio Aragon takes a keen look at natural movement in truly realistic form. From poison dart frogs to flying ducks this artist is the Audubon of Arrazola.


	Abad Xuana produces some of the most spectacular work with it's own distinctive retro 50's look. He is famous for his animal band members but the people he makes in village life are exceptional. The devils and coyote skeletons are thoughtfully detailed and a rare treat.


	Cirilio Rios resides in the city of Oaxaca and produces one of two things. Standing armadillos or incredibly long basking iguanas.


	Folk art master Inocencio Vasquez loves to delve into his villages superstitious past. Nahuals and drunken skeletons are some of his signature works. Each one of his creations has a timeless quality to it.


	Sergio Santiago is an Arrazola artist who adorns his smaller size creations in a tapestry of organic elements. Lizards are his standout motifs.


	Don Manuel Jimenez is the godfather of all Oaxacan Woodcarving. He set in motion the art form in the 60's and has continued to reinvent the art again and again.


	One of the original five woodcarvers is Miguel Santiago. Highly collectable for his ability to combine the traits of multiple animals in one. A mouse-like deer isn't unusual. His pieces have very dramatic forms and a great deal of warmth to them.


	Margarito Melchor is the definitive cat artist particularly the ones done in cube fashion as that is his original style. Now his entire extended family creates smaller versions with various paint styles.


	Edilberto Cortes became very well known with his Egyptian style cats. Since that time this artist creates a wide array of high quality mostly one piece carvings. What may truly set him apart is his soft style of painting and animated expressions on his lively creations.


	Pablo Lopez is most known for his archetectually symmetric praying mantids. His wife Ines Rios is the master of geometric style painting.


	If the village of San Martin had a mystic shaman with ancient knowledge it would be grand master Isidoro Cruz. Being extremely superstitious and observant of nature refects in his work. Preferring aniline inks over acrylic gives his pieces a vibrant velvety look.


	Pedro Ramirez is famous for his shape changing nauhal creatures usually with a moustache or beard. Pedro also produces a wide variety of other creatures all with a high standard of quality.


	The artist that loves bikes is Martin Melchor Angeles. Every mechanical invention features humourus animal people at the scene. His popularity has given way to a variety of imitators.


	David Blas is considered one of the most in-depth painters in San Pedro Cajonos. His rainbowed painting method is complex with endless variations. David approaches new subject matter with confidence and finesse.


	Arsenio Morales is a highly talented artist capable of creating any animal with unique flair. His lemur-like cats and monkeys with marble eyes are some of the most cherished.


	Sergio Santos hails from the remote village of La Union. He is known for his animal families and mischievous cats. His use of muted colors add a captivating dimension to his work. He is a celebrated artist and is seen in the publication "Maestros of Mexico".


	The work of husband and wife duo Jacobo and Maria Angeles is some of the finest this art has ever seen. Jacobos' imaginitive carving is brought to life by Maria's meticulous detailed designs that are ever evolving.


	In the village of Las Juntas dwells master carver Augustin Tinoco. Whimsical toy-like creations and saints for all purposes are his specialty. This long time carver only recently started painting his creations but should have all along because he is equally talented at both.

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