Gaspar Calvo Fabián is from San Martín Tilcajete, where he began carving at age 12 with help from his family. His father-in-law, Isidoro Cruz, a pioneer in the village's woodcarving tradition, was one of his teachers. This extraordinary mouse shows just how much he has built on that legacy.
The piece is made entirely in black, white, and grey, a bold and confident choice that stands out from the bright colors typically seen in Oaxacan art. Every part of the surface has a different geometric pattern: dense diamond shapes on the ears, triangles spreading out across the haunches, Greek-key borders along the curving tail, and intricate Zapotec designs on the rounded belly. Each area is unique, but the whole piece feels unified, showing the careful planning that went into every section before painting began.
The only colors are on the face, especially in the eyes. They have glowing amber and black irises that catch your attention with an intense, amber look, like old coins reflecting light.
