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Zeny and Reyna
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"Hola! We're Zeny Fuentes and Reyna Piña. We're from a small town in Oaxaca," says Zeny by way of introduction. "We both come from families dedicated to carving and painting wood in a style known as alebrije. Our parents were master carvers and they taught each of us when we were children. We studied different things too, but what we really like to do is crafting alebrijes and continuing our families' traditions.
"I still recall the first piece I ever carved. It was a…
Zeny and Reyna
"Hola! We're Zeny Fuentes and Reyna Piña. We're from a small town in Oaxaca," says Zeny by way of introduction. "We both come from families dedicated to carving and painting wood in a style known as alebrije. Our parents were master carvers and they taught each of us when we were children. We studied different things too, but what we really like to do is crafting alebrijes and continuing our families' traditions.
"I still recall the first piece I ever carved. It was a duck and it got sent to the Museum of Light in San Antonio! Since then, I've had the good fortune to exhibit my work in different museums and galleries in the U.S. — the first one was in Arizona when I was only 14 years old. Now Reyna and I exhibit together, and some of our alebrijes are on display in Israel and in Germany.
"Our work has also been sponsored by a prestigious paper company that depicts our wood sculptures on their stationery.
"Reyna and I have different styles when it comes to alebrijes and, when we got married, we decided to combine our ideas, creating our own version — our artistic identity where color and sculpture have a specific meaning. You could say we conceived a life filled with colors and a love for nature as well as for our huge cultural heritage. And now we share our love for this art with our children, who will preserve their family legacy.
"What we have taken from our culture is that we left the trees and recovered our own life, which is evident in every finished sculpture.
"Our materials include reclaimed tree trunks and branches as well as roots from dead trees, or the ones that we find in fields and rivers. We use the dust that comes off after sanding a piece to fill in the cracks that a piece of wood may have, and we use the thorn of a maguey to paint the more delicate motifs. Each alebrije is crafted by hand.
"The government of Oaxaca and the Tourist Ministry have both recognized our work and named us master wood artisans and our efforts to promote this cultural art form across the borders. In 2012, we received an award during Mexico's National Exhibition of Artisan Crafts (ENART) for our sculpture 'The Wild Bull of the Sun and Day.'
"We love spending our free time in the nearby fields and rivers and admiring nature while sitting atop a mountain or hill. This is reflected in the work that we do, which is special and authentic. Our inspiration comes from life's essential elements — the sun, the moon, the wind, water and fire, as well as the main symbols of our Zapotec culture. They are related to animals, flowers, insects, the cycle of life, and time.
"An event that had a big effect on us was when we were invited to teach our work to children with different capabilities in a school in Michigan. Among them was a boy who wouldn't obey, wouldn't eat and wouldn't pay attention. Regardless, we began to teach and I started carving a log of wood into a bear, and this kid was amazed by the magic of transforming wood into an animal. I caught his attention and I helped him make a sponge from a block of floral foam.
"When he was finished, he looked quite content with himself. His mother later told us that, when he got home, he was in a very happy mood. He ate, and then drew a picture of me, calling me 'art boy.' Apparently, the experience contributed to him coming out of his depression.
"When she told us this, we felt a great sense of satisfaction. We had no idea how much we could help someone — a child — through our art.
"We see you as a door to the world where Reyna and I can show people our work. We would like to express our thanks to all of you who find interest in the wonderful world of Mexican alebrijes."
Products (53)
Mexico Alebrije Mystical Cat Sculpture Oaxaca Folk Art 'Cat of the Moon and Water'
Copal Wood Porcupine Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico 'Porcupine Spirit'
Rooster Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico 'Proud Rooster'
Hand-Painted Copal Wood Alebrije Cat Figurine in Amber 'Amber Feline Questions'
Hand-Painted Cyan Copal Wood Alebrije Iguana Figurine 'Iguana Steps in Cyan'
Hand-Painted Colorful Copal Wood Alebrije Iguana Figurine 'Iguana Steps in Spring'
Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Porcupine Figurine in Fuchsia 'Cute Porcupine in Fuchsia'
Handmade Cat Alebrije 'Cosmic Cat'
Hand-Painted Alebrije Wood Peacock Sculpture from Mexico 'Colorful Peacock'
Copal Wood Floral Alebrije Black Cat Sculpture from Mexico 'Excited Black Cat'
Hand-Painted Red and Teal Copal Wood Alebrije Fish Figurine 'Mojarra's Strawberry Dream'
Painted Mustard Copal Wood Alebrije Cat Figurine with Ball 'Feline Sport in Mustard'
Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Cat Figurine from Mexico 'Nocturnal Cat'
Hand-Painted Orange Copal Wood Alebrije Bird Ornament 'Eden Plumage'
Colorful Handcrafted Wood Statuette 'My Owl Protector'
Hand-Painted Green Copal Wood Alebrije Bird Ornament 'Jungle Plumage'
Mexican Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Hippo Figurine in Brown 'Cute Hippo in Brown'
Green Hummingbird Alebrije Sculpture Crafted by Hand 'Green Hummingbird'
Alebrije Wood Peacock Sculpture from Mexico 'Flapping Peacock'
Wood Hanging Alebrije Hummingbird Sculpture in Purple 'Joyful Hummingbird'
Hand-Painted Strawberry Copal Wood Alebrije Iguana Figurine 'Iguana Steps in Strawberry'
Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Porcupine Figurine in Lavender 'Cute Porcupine in Lavender'
Copal Wood Alebrije Cat Sculpture in Teal from Mexico 'Excited Cat in Teal'
Wood Hanging Alebrije Hummingbird Sculpture in Blue 'Cheerful Hummingbird'
Wood Alebrije Giraffe Figurine in Grey from Mexico 'Pearly Giraffe'
Mexican Alebrije Cat Sculpture 'Playful Blue Kitten'
Wood Alebrije Fox Figurine in Black from Mexico 'Black Fox'
Hand-Painted Purple Copal Wood Alebrije Cat Figurine 'Placid Feline in Purple'
Blue Hummingbird Alebrije Hanging Sculpture from Mexico 'Blue Hummingbird'
Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Porcupine Figurine in Turquoise 'Cute Porcupine in Turquoise'
Hand-Painted Honey Copal Wood Alebrije Iguana Figurine 'Iguana Steps in Honey'
Yellow and Green Copal Wood Alebrije Porcupine Sculpture 'Cute Porcupine'
Hand-Painted Orange and Red Flaming Alebrije Bull Figurine 'Flaming Force'
Hand-Painted Copal Wood Alebrije Cat Figurine in Black 'Nocturnal Feline Questions'
Aqua Cat Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Shelf Sitter Figurine 'Aqua Cute Cat'
Mexican Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Hippo Figurine in Grey 'Cute Hippo in Grey'
Colorful Hand Carved and Painted Dragon Alebrije Figurine 'Acrobatic Dragon'
Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Porcupine Figurine in Purple 'Cute Porcupine in Purple'
Copal Wood Alebrije Porcupine Sculpture in Red and Blue 'Cute Porcupine in Red'
Hand Painted Alebrije Cat Figurine 'Bicycle Cat'
Orange Cat Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Shelf Sitter Figurine 'Orange Cute Cat'
Copal Wood and Maguey Mexican Porcupine Sculpture in Green 'Cute Porcupine in Green'
Hand-Painted Carnation Copal Wood Alebrije Bird Ornament 'Festival Plumage'
Multicolored Wood Alebrije Cat Figurine from Mexico 'Walking Festive Cat'
Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Figurine of Cat Playing with Ball 'Cute Cat with Ball'
Handcrafted Mexican Folk Art Alebrije Sculpture 'Oaxaca Snail'
Hand-Painted Colorful Wood Alebrije Bull Figurine in Black 'Sea Bull'
Oaxacan Hummingbird Sculpture 'Purple Hummingbird'
Copal Wood Alebrije Sculpture of Dragon in Red and Orange 'Mexican Dragon in Red'
Painted Scarlet Copal Wood Alebrije Cat Figurine with Ball 'Feline Sport in Scarlet'
Black Alebrije Cat Silver and Purple Hand Painted Motifs 'Sophisticated Cat'
Multi Color Hummingbird Alebrije Sculpture Crafted by Hand 'Colorful Hummingbird'
Hand Crafted Purple Wood Kittycat Folk Art Sculpture 'Magical Cat'
