Jacobo And Maria Angeles 'Totem' Print Available

Artist: Jacobo And Maria Angeles
Title: Totem
Medium: Giclee Print
Size: 24 x 36 Inches
Edition: OPEN
Price: $150

 

Jacobo and María Ángeles are visionary artisans from San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca, renowned for revolutionizing the traditional craft of alebrijes. Since establishing their workshop in 1994, the husband and wife duo has transformed Zapotec woodcarving into a sophisticated form of contemporary art. While the community has long produced carved wooden figures, the Ángeles family elevated the practice by integrating intricate Zapotec iconography and superior technical precision. Jacobo serves as the master carver, utilizing the soft wood of the copal tree to shape fluid, organic forms that often blend animal and human characteristics. María leads the painting department, where she applies exceptionally detailed patterns inspired by ancestral Zapotec symbols, such as those found at the Mitla archaeological site.

The couple is deeply committed to sustainability and cultural preservation. They established a reforestation program to ensure the future availability of copal wood and founded a school to train young artisans in traditional techniques. Their work has gained international acclaim, leading to collaborations with major brands and exhibitions in prestigious museums worldwide. Unlike the brightly colored, whimsical alebrijes often found in tourist markets, their creations utilize natural pigments derived from minerals, lime, and insects like cochineal. This dedication to authentic materials and storytelling has made their workshop a cornerstone of Oaxacan culture. By blending ancient heritage with modern artistic expression, Jacobo and María Ángeles have redefined what it means to be a folk artist in the twenty-first century, ensuring that their community’s legacy continues to evolve and thrive.