4th Grade Oaxacan Inspired Sculptures

supplies• With permanent marker, put your name on a

placemat on your tray.

• Someone should be in charge of the wood glue caps.

• Show how to glue pieces so that there is enough surface contact. Tape to hold til glue dries

• Demonstrate how to safely use the masking tape dispensers; (The cutting blades are sharp. )

Finishing up…Students who finish first should help others.

After no one needs help from other students, people who are finished should use the camera to take photos

of work and be in charge of the finishing stations:

flourescent Jazz paint (only take a dime sized dollop and make sure the lids are put on and box is put away),

story boards (write on old notebook first and write sign on index card in skinny marker…put lids on tightly), printing supplies (only take one at a time),

google eyes (put on with wood glue on a placemat), SMARTboard explorers of Oaxacan artists (make sure hands are clean

and people take turns)

Crizmac – Art and Cultural Education Materials, Inc. (catalog)Book/Magazines/videos:Oaxacan Woodcarving:The Magic in the Trees by Shepard Barbash (Book)Oaxacan Woodcarving:Innovation Meets Tradition featuring (Video)Arts and Activities, February 1992 and February 1997Smithsonian – Spring 1991Internet Sites:www.lafuente.com/oaxacan.htmlwww.alltherest.com/wood.htmwww.arowheadgallery.com/oaxacan.htmlwww.elcoquigifts.com/carvingsox3.aspwww.whimsicalarts.com

Resources:

Powerful Sculptures by the Masters of Oaxaca - Life in Wood

The State of Oaxaca is the home of the Zapotec people. Carving wood was an ancient pastime. Carving, clay work, and other activities filled time of rural people worldwide when the fields could not be worked. They produced useful household implements and toys. Some of these talents went to producing religious objects and decorated churches with images of significance to the religion. However, work for the home and the children always continued.

The carvers of a few small villages near the capital city of Oaxaca began to produce exciting images in carved and painted wood. The images were derived from their own lives and imaginations. Some of the earliest of these artists emerged as the masters whose work is shown above. These masters also taught or inspired others in their families and villages.

The Red Bull by Manuel Jimenez is a powerful piece, full of vigor. Manuel Jimenez and his family are justifiably famous. The Bull is 20-inches long including the fiber tail, 11-inches high and 6-inches deep. The price of this prize piece is $425,

Carved by the Zapotec Indians in remote villages just outside of Oaxaca, these animal figures and magical wood carvings have captured the imagination of collectors and enthusiasts all over the world. These brilliantly colored creations range from devils and dragons, to fish, turtles, snails, giraffes, gazelles, dogs, cats, rabbits, and chickens, to mention just a few.

Oaxacan folk art carvingsRocio Ramirez - Deer with lowered head - 10 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 12 1/2Edilberto Cortes - Confident Cat - 9 1/2 x 7 3/4 x 3

Darrell Mankoff, owner artist

The Green Puma was made by famous artist Margarito Melchor. He has a bold and basic style. The Green Puma is also strongly painted. She is 22-inches long, 9-inches high, and 5-inches wide. The price is $225

From humble beginnings over thirty years ago, to international recognition today, the wood carvers of Oaxaca continue to delight crowds with their whimsical designs and festive colors. Each figurine is hand-carved from copalillo wood and finely painted in brilliant colors. Most wings, ears, horns, and tails are detachable. In Mexico, the figures are believed to bring good luck, and for this reason are placed throughout the home.

Arsenio Morales with his wife and daughter at their home

outside Oaxaca.

Arsenio has been wood carving for over 15 years. He

and his uncle Pablo Lopez have grown to be masters in the art form.

Their woodenfigurines, called alebrijes, are likely the finest you will ever

see!

20"L x 9 1/2"H$179.95

La Fuente Imports

Arsenio's Green Monkey

Arsenio's Blue Monkey

22 1/2"L x 11 1/4"H$179 $159

Lizard on Tree Trunk #AM00815"H x 6"W$249 $219

Arsenio's Begging Dalmatian #AM01115"L x 6"W x 12"H$199

Arsenio's Green Squirrel #AM00911"L x 10"H$159

Pablo and Inez have spent many

years in their backyard workshop

developing theskills to create

world class works of art. Pablo hand carves each figure

whileInez paints the

whimsical designs that make their wood carvings

unique.Pablo Lopez and his wife Inez in their workshop outside Oaxaca.

8 3/4"L x 6 1/2"W$59.95Signed by Pablo Lopez

Pablo’s Blue Mantis

17"H x 14"W$199

Army84

11"L x 9"H$119Signed by Jacobo Cortes

Skeleton Dog

10"L x 7 1/2"H$64.95

Signed by Familia Espina Jimenez

07 – 08 (4)

07 – 08 (4)

2010-2011

Class of 2015

4B

4A