I am always impressed with artists who can paint on curves and shapes, as it requires attention to detail, balance, and proportion. These artists of alebrijes have mastered this and as a result, they create perfectly uniform pieces with stunning prints.
Outside of the City of Oaxaca, many smaller communities have their “thing.” Some make special pan (bread); some make textiles; while others make alebrijes. Many of these communities have roots in Zapotec, an Indigenous group with a culture and language outside of Spanish colonialism; the people in this group have a unique ability to blend ancient Zapotec traditions with modern Catholic ones. The founder of El Tallador De Sueños, Don Manuel Jiménez, was one of these masters. He believed God sent him a message to create alebrijes to provide for his family while showcasing this artform's beautiful traditions and heritage. Jimenez started by making wooden figures of Catholic saints and grew to adding colors and creating animals, too. Now, Jimenez's son and other family members run his shop and have received international acclaim for their work. What started as a father's dream is now an internationally recognized symbol of Mexican culture and a space that has provided income for three generations of this family.
