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Folk Art describes a wide range of objects that reflect the craft traditions and traditional social values of various social groups. Folk art is generally produced by people who have little or no academic artistic training, nor a desire to emulate "fine art", and use established techniques and styles of a particular region or culture. Along with painting, sculpture, and other decorative art forms, some also consider utilitarian objects such as tools and costume as folk art.
These inspiring and cheerful sculptures are made in Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca. The carving tradition goes back 50 years, but in the last twenty years, Oaxacan woodcarvings have become the most sought-after folk art in Mexico.
The artists make their carvings from the twisted branches of the copalillo tree, which grows on the hills around the valley. The wood is lightweight, easily workable, and sands to a smooth finish. The carvers do the initial chopping with machetes; then they finish the finer sculpting with pocket knives. It is often a family effort -- children help with the sanding, while wives may paint the delicate and vivid patterns.
As for the painting, the first figures were colored in a rustic way using natural paint such as lime, pomegranate juice and honey mixed together in various ways . Maguey thorns, reed chips with tips, were used for the decoration of points; now there are appropriate paintbrushes to carry out the dotting, the lining or the stains.
Oaxacan artists are endlessly creative. Inspiration comes from dreams, farmyard animals , wild animals, from the brilliant colors of fiestas and fireworks and even wildflowers that grow in the desert.
The unique personality of each carver is reflected in the graceful contours and brilliant colors of his or her work.
