Don Manuel Jimenez

Through serendipitous circumstances, we stumbled upon a magnificent homage to the master woodcarver of Arrazola and perhaps all of Oaxaca. Manuel Jimenez pioneered the art of figurine carving, pushing boundaries and introducing innovative techniques that inspired envy in his peers. 

Manuel Jimenez's unique talent lies in his mastery of carving wooden religious figurines for Cathedrals, the epitome of Oaxacan woodcarving tradition. His preference for Cedar over Copal due to its superior curing methods is evident in his later works.

Don Manuel Jimenez While his figurines were technically impressive, it was his soft looking animals that caught the eyes of high end department stores like Neiman Marcus and luxury hotel gift shops. This transitioned into collections in folk art museums of La Jolla, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, Cleveland and Mexico City. Journals such as the Smithsonian Magazine and various Travel Magazines served as a successful conduit to the global audience.

Manuel’s father was Mixtec and his mother from a separate village Zapotec. These two unique cultures possess their individuality, with the Zapotecs excelling in architecture and design, while the Mixtecs specialize in the art of weaving and painting.  The fusion of Manuel's cultural ancestry may have been the catalyst for the full manifestation of the Oaxacan Woodcarving.  As a child he was a herder and would study the animals in the fields under the ruins of Monte Alban.  His creativity and imagination knew no bounds, as he sculpted clay figurines of the animals he observed. These figurines soon became his favorite toys, sparking imaginative games and inspiring inventive motifs that are still admired by artists today.