Oaxacan Wood Carvings
Oaxacan Woodcarving
Elaborate painted woodcarvings from three Oaxacan pueblos have earned international acclaim from collectors of fine folk art. While carved religious masks and children’s toys have been around for centuries, the creation of animal, human, and fantasy figures for purely decorative purposes, is relatively modern. The carvings are often described as magical, fantastic, and highly imaginative.
Woodcarving in its present collectable form is largely credited to the creative genius of one man from the pueblo of Arrazola, Don Manuel Jimenez. In the 1950’s he began carving imaginative figures of animals, angels, saints, and mermaids. Private collectors and museum curators became aware of his work and his pieces began to be sold for high prices. Don Jimenez’s success opened the way for an international demand for pieces made by other skilled carvers. Others in his pueblo began to learn the art and craft of fine woodcarving and eventually most families would become involved in the production of woodcarving. In the following years, San Martin Tilcajete and La Union Tejalapan would also find success with woodcarving art, although the styles, prices, and labor organization in each pueblo is unique.
The success of woodcarving has had a significant impact on the standard of living of the people in these pueblos. For example, in 1985, most residents of Arrazola lived in adobe or thatch houses. There were dirt roads, only one phone in town, no sewage system, few cars, and no secondary education. The village was among the poorest in the region. Families supported themselves with subsistence agriculture on small plots of land and with archeological labor at Monte Alban. Now, Arrazola is a prosperous artisan community. Its young people have opportunities never available to their elders. The carving traditions are passed down in families and continue to evolve into more complicated and challenging designs. There is an increasing demand for high quality woodcarvings from Oaxaca and several families and artists command a very good price for their art.
Techniques of Oaxacan Woodcarving
The master carvers from Oaxaca typically use the wood from the female copal tree. It is a soft wood, has an aromatic smell, and can be sanded to a very fine finish. Some carvers use cedar wood or “Zompantle”.
Different parts of the branches are transformed into unique figures by the artist. The “Magic in the Trees” is the creative union of the natural form of the tree branch and the vision the artist imagines and pulls out by skillful carving. One branch may result in several pieces, as nothing is wasted.
After choosing a branch suitable to the imagined piece, the bark is removed with a machete. Carvers usually begin working on a piece immediately after removing the bark to take advantage of green, or “wet” copal.
Carvers all use machetes and a variety of knives, chisels, and gouges. The piece starts out rough and is gradually carved into amazing detail. Some carvings, including very difficult pieces, are made from one piece of wood. Others consist of several pieces nailed together. Often carvings have attachments such as tails, ears, or wings. One particular style of woodcarving is called an “Alebrije”. This refers to a fantasy figure, grounded in myth or cultural tradition. They are also referred to as “monsters” or “Nahuals”.
When the carving is completed, the piece is dried in the sun. Depending on the size of the carving and the weather, this process could take from several days to a month. When the piece is thoroughly dry, it is sanded down. This can take up to an entire day. After sanding, some artisans apply gasoline to protect against insects. (Actually, freezing the carving is recommended).
The painting process is next, and it is an equally skillful part of these art pieces. Initially, a solid coat or two of paint is applied. The next stage of the process involves painstaking decorative detail. No two carvings are the same, nor are the decorations. The painting is done with a variety of paintbrushes, toothpicks, and maguey thorns. The paint is usually acrylic but some carvers prefer aniline paint for a more rustic appearance. Some highly valued pieces are painted with dyes made from natural substances such as the cochineal beetle.
It is traditional for the men to do the woodcarving and the women to do the painting. There are exceptions to this and many highly skilled artisans work on their pieces from start to finish. The total process to complete a piece from carving to painting is usually about 6-15 days.
Oaxacan woodcarvings are highly collectable. They are one of a kind, totally hand-made, and reflect a rich heritage and imagination.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
