Oaxaca, The Spirit of Mexico

Arrazola, an entire town has prospered greatly due to the popularity of its tiny carved wooden figures, alebrijes,
which are made primarily of Copal wood gathered near the town.
Family home-studios welcome both locals and tourists alike to watch artisans,
such as 17 year-old Fidel Mendoza Ibañez work hard at their craft, or to buy animals for their collections.
The carvers allow the shape of the wood to dictate the form of the imaginary animals they create.

Photography by Judith Cooper Haden © 2002
Text by Matthew Jaffe © 2002

Source Article - "Oaxaca, The Spirit of Mexico"

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