Blog & News Mexican Folk Art

How a 25-year-old heir walked into a Mexican market in 1933 and spent the next 45 years changing the way America thinks about folk art. The story of Nelson Rockefeller, René d'Harnoncourt, and the unlikely path from village workshop to museum wall.

Discover Carolina Sandoval & Kengi Santos’ Oaxacan alebrijes, where woodcarving meets Jalieza textiles in vibrant, one-of-a-kind folk art pieces.

Discover how to choose, appreciate, and collect authentic Oaxacan woodcarvings.

Alebrijes are not just whimsical creatures from Mexican folklore, they are intricate, hand-carved works of art with deep cultural meaning and remarkable craftsmanship. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, this guide will help you recognize quality, understand symbolism, and find pieces that speak to you personally.

How are Alebrijes, Mexican wood carvings made?

Alebrijes are carved wooden figures created by Oaxacan artisans. They have become so popular that even the world’s most respected Spanish language authority, the La Real Academia de la Lengua Española, Spanish Royal Academy, has included the term “Alebrijes” in its official Spanish language dictionary.