Papier-Mâché

1. Papier-Mâché Alebrijes from Arrazola, Oaxaca, México Papier-Mâchéis a French term that means paper that is reduced to pulp. The Chinese used it to make body armor before metal was used. Today Papier-Mâchéit refers to lamination of paper strips and glue. The artist begins with a form that is usually formed with cardboard, newspaper and tape.

2. This lesson in papier-mache began with a lesson making papier-mache creatures modeled after Oaxacan woodcarving. As I researched the Oaxacan woodcarving I discovered that these carvings were from another artist, Pedro Linares, who made his Alebrijes from papier-mache.

3. An alebrije (pronounced [aleˈβɾihe]) is a brightly-colored Mexicanfolk art sculptures of fantastical animal-like creatures. While Pedro Linares first used the term to describe his papiermache creations, it is now commonly used in reference to the Oaxacan woodcarvings popularized by Manuel Jimenez.

4. Pedro Linares • Pedro Linares started out as a common papiermache artist who eked out a living on the outskirts of Mexico City by making traditional piñatas, carnival masks, and Judas dolls for local fiestas. In the 1930s, he broke from tradition and started creating elaborate decorative pieces that represented imaginary creatures he called alebrijes. Inspired by a dream when he fell ill at age 30,[1] these papiermache sculptures were brightly-painted with intricate patterns and frequently featured wings, horns, tails, fierce teeth, and bulgy eyes. • Linares' unique creations were discovered by a gallery owner in Cuernavaca, Mexico[2] and have since been exhibited around the world. Linares received Mexico's National Prize for Popular Arts and Traditions (PremioNacional de Ciencias y Artes en la Rama VI, Artes y TradicionesPopulares) for his work. Linares' sons and grandsons carry on in Pedro Linares' tradition and have become sought-after artists in their own right.

5. Linares’ Dream • Pedro Linares • (April 2006)Pedro Linares ( born 1906, died January 26, 1992) was a Mexican artist and creator of the paper maché figurines named alebrijes. • The artform of alebrijes were created by Pedro Linares after he became ill at 30 years old. No one could help him because access to medicine was difficult for poor people. His sisters attempted to assist him but without success. • While he was in bed, unconscious, Linares dreamt of a strange place resembling a forest. There were trees, animals, clouds, sky, rocks, etc.; he felt no pain and he was very happy walking down there. Suddenly, rocks, clouds and animals turned into something strange, some kind of animals, but, unknown animals. He saw a donkey with butterfly wings, a rooster with bull horns, a lion with an eagle head, and all of them were shouting just one word, the word was "Alebrijes", every animal was shouting louder and louder: "Alebrijes, Alebrijes, Alebrijes!". • The sound was terrible, and Linares wasn't able to stay there for a long time; he got a terrible headache and he ran along a stone road where a man was walking. Linares asked the man for help as he wanted to escape. The man told him that he shouldn't be there yet, and the man said that Linares had to walk by that road and a few meters ahead there was an exit. Linares ran and ran until he was in front of narrow window, and he passed through that window and then woke up. • When Linares could get out of bed, he started to remember his dream and he wanted his family and everybody to know about the animals he saw, so he took a piece of paper and he molded the figurines from his memory. Then he painted them as he saw them in his dream. • Linares went on to show his work to many people, and he was invited to exhibit his "alebrijes" to the world. Linares worked every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. until the day he died at 86 years old. Now, Miguel, Paula, Ricardo and Elsa Linares carry on the tradition of the alebrijes.

6. The Linares Family Alebrijes

15. Oaxacan woodcarving • From Linares’ creation of Alebrijes emerged Oaxacan woodcarving. Carving of an antelope by Luis Pablo Mendoza

16. Oaxacan WoodcarvingsManuel Jimenez holding one of his woodcarvings. Pictured here with his son.The alebrije name is often used in reference to the fanciful woodcarvings created by artists in Oaxaca, Mexico. These popular folk art wood sculptures are also known as animalitos, monos, or simply figuras.[3] While most share the bright colors and fanciful subjects popularized by Linares work, individual artists generally have very distinctive carving and painting styles. Manuel Jiménez (born June 9, 1919 - died March 4, 2005) was a master woodcarver recognized as the founder of folk art woodcarving in Oaxaca, Mexico. • Inspired by the woodcarving of Don Pascual Santiago and the papiermache work of Pedro Linares, Jimenez transformed a local craft into a highly-collectible art form.

17. Examples of Oaxacan woodcarvings Jacobo & Maria Angeles Handsome perroflaco, thin dog, created by master carver Jacobo Angeles and impeccably painted by his wife Maria. 

18. Narciso Gonzalez Narciso is one of the top master carvers in Oaxaca. His well formed balanced figures are very sought after by collectors and thus has a long waiting list.  Ruby, his wife, is responsible of painting the figures and as you can see she is an exceptional talented painter!

19. Aurora Sosa • Charming mother turtle with four individually carved little turtles  by Aurora Sosa, a talented young carver from San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca.    

20. Zeny Fuentes Charming cat  wood carving by Zeny Fuentes, son of famousEpifanio Fuentes.

21. Jacobo & Maria AngelesBuho Spectacular buho, owl figure created by master carver Jacobo Angeles and impeccably painted by his wife Maria. 

22. andido Jimenez Lovely giraffe carving by Candido Jimenez. The coloring and painting design of this beautiful figure is very delicate.

23. Aurora Sosa  Charming tiger cub by  Aurora Sosa.She masterfully painted it with her trademark  dotted animal silhouettes. This time she painted a coyote  on the sides of the carving.   The combination of colors she used are particularly attractive!

24. There are many examples of Oaxacan woodcarvings that can be viewed by searching for “Oaxacan woodcarvings” • The first part of your assignment is to draw a rough draft of a creature (alebrijes) that you would like to make. • Your creature can be real or imagined. • The final part of your assignment will be to paint your own alebrijes. • As you are working on your alebrijes you will also be working on a folktale to go along with your alebrijes.