WOODCARVING

Pueblo of San Antonio Arrazola
Álvaro Obregón #1
roquem.jimenez@hotmail.com

(From US) Landline: 011-52-951-517-1293
Cell: 011-52-951-117-1367
(In Oaxaca) Landline: 517-1293
Cell: 951-117-1367

Roque began carving at the age of 12 in his grandfather’s workshop and with his help. He has never studied art formally, but instead regards it as an empirical process of trial and error. Nor had Roque entered a competition on his own prior to his participation in FOFA’s 2011 young artists’ competition, at age 24, in which he was awarded honorable mention. Roque explained that his piece is a nahual, a mystical Oaxacan animal spirit believed in his pueblo to protect each child from birth. He enjoys carving because he can create things that he does not see around him, and “bring each piece alive” by painting it.

Pueblo of San Antonio Arrazola
Independencia #1 (corner of Tabasco)   
armandojimenez1967@yahoo.com

(From US) Landline: 011-52-951-517-1356
Cell: 011-52-951-131-9386
(In Oaxaca) Landline: 517-1356
Cell: 951-131-9386

In the shelter of a natural awning created by shady trees, Armando carves and, with the help of his wife, paints wooden figures that make significant statements.  His pieces are prominent, both in size and hue.  Armando specializes in many varieties of animals -- both ones that do not inhabit Oaxaca, such as flamingos, otters and bears, as well as those one see in daily life, such as rabbits and frogs.  They are decorated with vibrant colors, two favorites being colonial blue and yellow.  Armando is receptive to new designs inspired by photographs that prospective clients provide.

Pueblo of San Antonio Arrazola
Independencia #1 (corner of Tabasco)
armandojimenez1967@yahoo.com

(From US) Landline: 011-52-951-517-1356
Cell: 011-52-951-131-9386
(In Oaxaca) Landline: 517-1356
Cell: 951-131-9386

A third generation folk artist, Alejandro learned to carve wood from his father and to paint from his mother. He enjoys making a strong statement with the fantastical images he creates, such as dragons, and paints them in bright colors to convey his whimsy and happiness. The images on this dragon’s two massive wings reflect Alejandro’s heritage and dreams. On one wing, he has painted his great grandfather (the late Manuel Jiménez cited above) in the act of carving, and also a wooden frog -- his family’s trademark piece. On the other wing, Alejandro portrays hands reaching towards an armadillo, his favorite figure to carve and paint, to represent his own dreams. 

Emiliano Zapata #4, San Antonio Arrazola 71233
(To call from US, first dial 011-52)
Tel celular • Cell phone: 951-102-0947
Tel de Casa • Landline: 951-102-0947
Email: angelico.jimenezc@hotmail.com,
Facebook: Taller de Angelico Jimenez
Instagram: @taller.angelico.jimenez

Angélico wishes to continue the powerful legacy of successive generations of woodcarvers, begun in his pueblo by his renowned grandfather, Manuel Jiménez. He also wants to rescue and restore native woods. His sheep was inspired by the unique hollow center of a piece of zompantle wood. Rather than a flaw, he regarded this as ”a beautiful whim of nature” and a metaphor for personal strengths and weaknesses. From this center comes the heart surrounded by the three life stages of childhood, adolescence and maturity. Angélico began to carve at 15, taught by his father and grandfather. His very elaborate painting style is influenced by traditional Zapotec and Mixtec designs, as well as those of nearby Monte Albán.

Álvaro Obregón #1,
San Antonio Arrazola 71233
Cell phone: (From US) 011-52-951-103-7854
(In Oaxaca) 951-103-7854
Landline: (From US) 011-52-951-517-1293
(In Oaxaca) 517-1293
Email: isaiasjimenez.c@hotmail.com
Facebook: El Tallador De Sueños
Instagram: dream.carver

Isaías was raised with his family in their renowned workshop, created by his late grandfather, master carver Manuel Jiménez. Isaías began to learn to paint, as well as to carve with a razor and knife, as early as 6. His piece represents the struggle between fear and hope. The dropped anchor symbolizes hope which, despite the storms and the fury of the sea, keeps us steady. The anchor shaped as a cross symbolizes that God never dies. The hammerhead shark – that does not run away but returns and faces danger -- conveys the strength instilled by his grandfather. The hammer is a tool and symbol of their art that nails and sets.

Álvaro Obregón #1, San Antonio Arrazola 71233
Cell phone: (From US) 011-52-951-505-9166
(In Oaxaca) 951-505-9166
Landline: (From US) 011-52-951-517-1285
(In Oaxaca) 517-1285
Email: mcjimenez@gmail.com
Instagram: @mc.jimenezca

María del Carmen learned to paint and continues to work in the same workshop in which her late grandfather did, the master carver Manuel Jiménez.  The armadillo, carved by her husband, represents the union between man and magic that has existed in her family for generations. It is also a symbol of the power and strength that kept the family solid and united during the pandemic. In his posture we see the patience and intelligence to know how to respond at each moment. He carries a crook with a nahual head that symbolizes protection and guidance in the creation of their art. 

Pueblo of San Antonio Arrazola
Emiliano Zapata #4, Colonia Odissea
isaiasjimenez.c@hotmail.com

(From US) Landline: 011-52-951-517-1293
Cell: 011-52-951-282-5708
(In Oaxaca) Landline to Landline: 517-1293
Cell: 951-282-5708

Viviana Jiménez Carrillo is influenced by her family’s long tradition of carving and painting. Surrounded by brilliant innovative shapes and vibrant colors, she began painting at the age of five. She chose to decoratively paint the humble beetle because she feels it symbolizes the fertility and cultivation of corn—a crop surrounding her village that is critical to many facets of Zapotec life. On its back she created unusual images representing human growth, and his feet convey people’s persistence in marching onward! Although Viviana is now studying nursing, she expects to remain involved in the creation of imaginative animals that she hopes viewers will appreciate.

Pueblo of San Antonio Arrazola
Emiliano Zapata #16
claudiozapotec@hotmail.com

(From US) Landline: 011-52-951-517-1438
(In Oaxaca) Landline: 517-1438

At the head of the Ojeda family is Claudio, who creates wood-carved figures distinguished by their extraordinary stature and texture. He is a highly articulate man who uses his art to delve into the philosophical and sensual dimensions of his inner world. He and his wife Teresita collaborate on and co-sign their pieces. Claudio does the carving and Teresita the painting, which is considered as integral to their artistry as the carving. They both regard Teresita’s special techniques as an inheritance to be passed along to their two sons. The couple’s figures include jaguars, armadillos, nahuales (figures combining human and animal features), peacocks, toucans, parrots, and iguanas.

San Antonio Arrazola
Emiliano Zapata #16
don_claux@hotmail.com

(From US) Landline: 011-52-951-517-1438
Cell: 011-52-951-221-8556
(In Oaxaca) Landline: 517-1438
Cell: 951-221-8556
 

The two Ojeda González brothers share responsibility for continuing the family’s work. In 2013 they submitted a jointly carved and painted piece. Building on their family legacy, with Alexis transforming Claudio's drawing -- a blueprint -- into a powerful carved figure of a pregnant woman. Her belly is a globe of the world, reminding us that the land and all living creatures are children of Mother Nature. Claudio explained that he chose bright and exciting colors, primarily rich blues and greens, over somber ones because, as the title of their work conveys, this is a vision of Mother Nature in all her splendor without sadness or misery.

Pueblo of San Antonio Arrazola
Álvaro Obregón #12
arte-pepesantiago@outlook.com

(From US) Landline: 011-52-951-517-1394
Cell: 011-52-951-509-2859
(In Oaxaca) Landline: 517-1394
Cell: 951-509-2859

José Santiago Ibañez (nicknamed Pepe) carves wooden figures, as does his large extended family. They specialize in native animals such as armadillos and iguanas, fantasy figures such as winged horses, two-headed serpents (alebrijes) and mermaids.  In addition, they create masks that derive from the tradition of Pepe’s parents, who produced an unpainted variety.  Some of his work leans to the commercial side, including boxes and picture frames. The combination of good quality and reasonable prices provides the buyer with an alternative to the higher prices of some other artists in this pueblo.

Pueblo of San Antonio Arrazola
Álvaro Obregón #12
nicol.santi.mjn@gmail.com

(From US) Landline: 011-52-951-517-1394
Cell: 011-52-951-209-8060
(In Oaxaca) Landline: 517-1394
Cell: 951-209-8060  

Nicole began painting woodcarvings at age 14, beginning with simple alebrijes, and eventually moving on to finer work. Her older sister Magdalena, who has also entered FOFA young artist’s competitions, paints as well but in a very different style. Although she has studied tourism, Nicole intends to continue painting. She entered this frog to honor her father who carved it. She has painted many frogs but felt especially satisfied with the way this frog’s design emerged as she painted it.

Pueblo of San Antonio Arrazola
Venustiano Carranza #26
orlagmanda@hotmail.com

(From US) Cell: 011-52-951-119-9041
(In US) Cell: 951-119-9041

Having learned from her father, Magdalena began to carve at age 15. She explains that now her greatest inspirations are her husband, and children, Anthony and Alexa. This piece was painted by Magdalena after it was carved by her husband, Orlando Mandarín Ramírez. This type of carved figure is unusual for artisans from their pueblo. It is distinguished from traditional Catrinas by the fine delineation of its waist, breasts and buttocks, and its beautiful accessories, such as her dress and parasol. Painting the diamond shapes presented a challenge to Magdalena, who had never before experimented with this type of decoration. She is gratified that her work is appreciated, explaining that it motivates her to improve every day.

Pueblo of San Martín Tilcajete
Libres #1
gaspar_1424@hotmail.com

(From US) Cell: 011-52-951-222-6472
(In Oaxaca) Cell: 951-222-6472

Gaspar learned to carve from his parents and other relatives, beginning at 12 years of age, and continues to develop as an artist. His father was a significant creative influence, followed by his father-in-law, Isidoro Cruz Hernández, a pioneer in woodcarving in this pueblo – comparable in stature to Manuel Jimenez’s stature in San Antonio Arrazola. Gaspar has won honorable mention in all four of FOFA’s young artists’ competition, creating both figures that are beautifully painted and those with great detail in natural wood. He is an enthusiastic promoter of his pueblo’s annual day of reforestation in which townspeople plant new copal trees to promote sustainability. In The God of Corn, he conveys that Mexico is the culture of corn. Other symbols depict the clash of cultures that occurred when the Spanish conquest imposed the Catholic religion.  

Pueblo of San Martín Tilcajete
Constitución s/n
pemakev11@gmail.com

(From US): Landline: 011-52-951-524-9108
Cell: 011-52-951-439-6264
(In Oaxaca) Landline: 524-9108
Cell: 951-439-6264    

José, who began to paint at 12 years of age, tells visitors that he was influenced by his grandparents and parents, as well as by music, selected books, his girlfriend, life itself, and nature and the abundant vegetation around his pueblo. He enjoys carving horses, although they are not part of the pre-Hispanic roots that José celebrates. He divides the painting of this piece into four quadrants; he uses a variety of colors to depict different aspects of the horse’s personality -- yellow for bravery and strength, and blue for its need for companionship. José explains that color also conveys the horse’s intelligence; by painting them the head (brain) and feet the same color, he emphasizes their connection. “While humans may trip on the same rock many times, the horse learns not to do so after only one such experience.”