THE HISTORY.
In 1936 Pedro Linares, a cartonero (papier-mâché artist) from Mexico City, created alebrijes after developing a high fever, experiencing a feverish dream where he encountered fantastical, hybrid creatures chanting the word "alebrijes." He was inspired by this dream to recreate these creatures using papier-mâché, leading to the birth of the alebrije art form.
The success and notoriety of these works gave rise to this unique folk art movement in Oaxaca during the 1960s, where they were called “nahuales.” The practice of carving figures from lightweight, native copal wood evolved in isolated mountain communities where Zapotec woodcarving traditions were passed down through generations—especially in the Central and Ocotlán districts near Oaxaca City.
Masters like Manuel Jiménez of San Antonio Arrazola and Margarito Melchor Fuentes of San Martín Tilcajete revived and redefined the craft, passing down the art form through generations. Today, over 200 families continue this tradition, carving vibrant, fantastical figures from native copal wood—symbols of Oaxacan magical realism and living expressions of Indigenous identity.
Pedro Linares working on his Alebrije
TONAS and NAHUALES
Tonas and Nahuales are central figures in the worldview of Oaxaca’s Indigenous people—tonas as animal protectors of humans, and nahuales as shape-shifting spiritual guides. Oaxaca is home to 16 of Mexico’s 54 First-Nation ethnic groups, notably the Zapotec, and preserves its rich cultural legacy through archeological sites like Mitla and Monte Albán.
In Zapotec communities such as San Antonio Arrazola, San Martín Tilcajete, and San Pedro Cajonos, the legends of tonas and nahuales have inspired the woodcarving culture associated with alebrijes.
This exhibition brings Oaxaca’s traditions to life through fantastical sculptures by artists such as Angélico Jiménez Hernández, Constantino Blas, and María Florentina Jiménez. It also honors the influence of Don Pedro Linares López, creator of the iconic alebrijes, whose descendants continue his legacy. These works reflect the enduring power and majesty of Oaxaca’s cultural heritage, positioning it as a cornerstone of Mexican and global popular art.