Adrian Xuana: Day of the Dead Dog Alebrije Woodcarving
Adrian Xuana: Day of the Dead Dog Alebrije Woodcarving
This wonderfully imaginative skeleton dog alebrije by Oaxacan artist Adrian Xuana is full of character. Its exaggerated long legs, arched skeletal body, enormous ears, and toothy expression give the Oaxacan woodcarving a wonderfully animated presence. Even better, the dog proudly carries a removable carved bone in its mouth.
The painted skeleton naturally connects the piece with Mexico’s Day of the Dead tradition, where skeleton imagery is approached with humor and affection rather than simply as something frightening. The colorful patterns inside the ears provide an unexpected flourish against the bold skeletal design.
Adrian Xuana is particularly accomplished at creating these imaginative skeletal animals. His work has even appeared on a monumental scale, with a giant skeleton dog exhibited at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. This smaller Mexican folk art sculpture captures that same distinctive combination of skilled carving, humor, and unmistakable Oaxacan personality.
