A breathtaking moonlight gazelle, carved from a single piece of wood by Oaxacan artist Michelle Fuentes, radiates artistry and wonder.
Elegance begins in the carving itself. Michelle sculpts the gazelle’s form with the fluidity of a dancer, its neck stretching tall, chest proud, and front legs set with such delicate balance that the figure seems to hover between movement and stillness, as if pausing for a breath.
The horns arc backward in a sweeping, harmonious curve, mirroring the uplifted neck. Every detail pulses with subtle motion: a gentle turn of the head, the careful placement of each limb, capturing the alert calm of a wild gazelle—vigilant yet serene.
This attentive presence is at the heart of the gazelle’s symbolism, an animal whose beauty and awareness are inseparable, embodying grace under pressure across cultures, and in Arabic poetry, a timeless emblem of elegance and yearning. An animal whose survival depends on staying beautifully, constantly aware of its surroundings
The painting unfolds as a scene in itself, not just an ornament on the surface.
A face crowned with moon and stars rests gently on the gazelle’s shoulder, delicate tears painted in fine lines. Swallows soar, wildflowers bloom, and most captivating of all, a tiny gazelle is painted on the haunch—a portrait within a portrait, as if the creature bears its own legend or reflection.
Night sky, migrating birds, blossoming flowers: together, they evoke a sense of transition, a journey from night toward dawn, though Michelle invites each viewer to imagine their own story.
Carved by hand from copal wood and painted in the vibrant alebrije tradition, this piece is a true testament to Oaxacan woodcarving at its most expressive and artful.
