This stunning woodcarved wasp is a little explosion of color and elegance. Its long striped legs, patterned wings, and ringed body are covered in perfectly even, impossibly delicate brushstrokes that highlight every segment of the insect’s form. Antonio Xuana and his family carve each figure from copal wood and then paint it entirely by hand, building up intricate patterns and luminous colors that have become their signature. The result is a powerful, contemporary alebrije that celebrates both the beauty of nature and the artistry of San Martin Tilcajete.
