Oaxacan Wood Carvings are quite known worldwide. But what makes it so famous? Well, if you’re an artist or a fan of art, you would know. With its unique style of sculpting from Copal wood, it strikes imagination… Well, know more about Wood Carving that is in Oaxaca carvings.

Oaxaca Woodcarvings and Sculpture From Mexico

You may not have ever heard of the Copal tree or Copal wood but it’s integral to a way of life, now entirely supported by Oaxaca woodcarvings in a distant valley that’s located in Southern Mexico. It’s the Oaxaca Valley in the State of Oaxaca (wa-ha-ka) that’s now home to some 200 families devoted to wood sculpture.

Recreations of Images in their Dreams

They create a unique style of sculpture from the Copal wood that grows in abundance in and around their remote villages. As amazing as they are refreshing, their brightly colored works are said to be recreations of images that they visualize in their dreams.

Definitely Not Classic Mexican Art

So no, these one of a kind sculptures have no connection or similarity to anything that may considered to be classic Mexican art. Rather, these works by Oaxacan artists can only be described as like nothing that has ever been seen before the early seventies.

Discovered in the Early Seventies

That’s when off the beaten path travelers and adventurers first began arriving home with the whimsical and often cartoon-like painted wooden creatures. Each one carved, finished and painted entirely by hand, in a delicate process that can take up to three days per piece.

The Seeds of an Art Movement

Who could have ever predicted that those early works by a few avant-garde artists would be the seeds that would grow and eventually blossom into what has become a veritable art movement. Those early pieces colored with handmade dyes are now the most cherished of all Oaxaca woodcarvings and sculpture.

Oaxacan Woodcarvings Achieve International Recognition

So now along with international recognition, comes the inevitable financial rewards. For these artists who once toiled away in one and two room adobe huts can now can afford all the modern conveniences that success tends to bring.

Even the Tools for their Sculptures are Made by Hand

One thing that hasn’t changed through it all though, is the level of artistic integrity that goes into each piece. All still Meticulously carved and finished entirely with hand tools. Sculpture tools that more often than not, are also made by hand.

About the Author:

Written by Sandy Ferris. Find more information on oaxaca woodcarvings and sculpture

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