Oaxacan Woodcarving: The Magic in the Trees

Rating:
Summary: A "Wooderful" Treasure
Review: This is a wonderful little book with a wealth of information and pictures that document the whimsical wood carvings of Oaxaca(pronounced WA-HA-ka), Mexico.The folk art depicted are beautifully detailed figurines, lavishily decorated hand painted carved wood. The book explains the entire process and how the works are often family projects where all family members participate in order to sustain the family. If you are a collector of folk art this book is a good reference source as it tells you which names are most collectible. One of the more interesting Oaxacan carvings are the "alebriges" which are figurures that may have animal and human traits but are created in such a fashion that it looks like it may be from another world with its extra parts of anatomy and exaggerated form. The three-dimensional carvings are delightful pieces of folk art. Anyone interested in the folk art of Mexico, planing a trip to Oaxaca, teacher or student involved in art would enjoy this book. Easy to read and photographed to reproduce the intricate works that are so colorful this book is a valuable source of information for all interested in these now famous wood carvings from Oaxaca.