piece of art

This delightful papier mache alebrije sculpture is crafted by Marina Lozano in Mexico. The artisan creates her version of a quetzalcoatl, which was a feathered serpent deity in ancient Mesoamerica. The creature is painted by hand in bright colors and varied patterns.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930's in Mexico City. A man named Pedro Linares was taken ill, and in his fevered dreams he saw a strange land populated with curious creatures--a donkey with wings, a rooster with bull's horns, and a lion with the head of a dog. The beasts all shouted "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache.

This is a slightly more modern take on traditional Wixárika (Huichol) jaguar heads. Instead of base made from wood, the head is formed using the more ecologically-friendly cartonería, a hard papier mache, a growing and innovative craft in Mexico. Miguel Díaz is a Wixárika artist keeping symbols such as the peyote and the deer as seen on this piece. The beads are placed one-by-one attached with beeswax that Díaz prepares, and the piece can be displayed on either a wall or a table.

Nature's vivid hues swirl across this decorative box where exquisite blossoms and lush leaves come alive in hand-painted detail. Made from weeping willow wood and papier mache, the box is coated in a shining lacquer that locks in every brushstroke. India’s Fida Hussein creates an accessory that is both an art piece and a keeper of your favorite mementos.

Shaped like a lotus, this candleholder sheds a light on the unique beauty of recycled art. Thailand's Somyot Sawasdee recycles the bottom of an aluminum can for the tea-light tray, and crafts the holder by hand recycling paper with cement. The Thai artisan's expertise is evident in the detail of the holder, which is painted with green and gold paint to create the illusion of an aged bronze piece.

Mohammad Hussain Baba of India creates a gorgeous window to the grace of the spring season. The artist works on a sturdy round weeping willow wood piece that is polished to allow for a lustrous display. Then, he adds papier mache and smooths the frontal surface to portray a glorious garden of colorful petals and golden hues. Exuding mystic beauty, this round panel is also equipped with a cord for easy hanging.