Luis Pablo is recognized as one of Oaxaca's great woodcarving masters, an artist who does everything himself and whose sculptures carry the confidence of someone who has never compromised his vision. This zebra shows a different, wonderfully joyful side of him!
Where a zebra is black and white in nature, Luis Pablo has painted his in every color imaginable. Clean horizontal stripes of red, orange, yellow, gold, mint, teal, sky blue, purple, and pink run from nose to tail, shifting direction at the shoulders and haunches into bold chevrons and triangles. The effect is somewhere between an Op Art and an Oaxacan fiesta, and it is completely irresistible.
The details add to the delight: a real Ixtle fiber mane runs wild between two yellow-painted ears stitched with black dashes, and a braided fiber tail swings at the back. The face is painted with theatrical flair: arched brows, expressive eyes, a pink nose—the face of a zebra fully aware of how spectacular he looks.
This piece shows Luis Pablo at his most joyful, bringing the kind of light into a room that he always meant to share. It truly is a wonderful piece!
