This charming monkey by top Oaxacan woodcarver Luis Pablo is utterly endearing.
Crafted from copal wood, it captures the lively sense of motion that defines monkeys: appearing perfectly still for a moment before springing into action again.
In Mesoamerican tradition, Ozomatli, the monkey, was honored as the patron of dance, music, and the arts—a creature embodying playful energy and governed by Xochipilli, the god of celebration and flowers.
Luis Pablo embraces this lively spirit fully in his work. The warm, burnt-orange body is decorated with short black dash marks that add a vibrant, textured feel to the fur, while the striking facial design, made with just a few bold colors, brings the piece to life.
