There is a magical energy that comes from the hand-carved wood furniture created by Alejandro Guadalupe García. He has perfected his skills as a master wood carver and works his magic with an inner strength and self-control that is evident in his work. 

Alejandro lives in Cuanajo, a small mountain village known for its pine wood carving and cedar furniture, frames and other wooden household items. He began learning to work with wood from his father at 11- years-old. During this time, few people in town had tools and they had to make their own using whatever they could find. Earlier in his apprenticeship he worked with simple carving and furniture fabrication using dovetail joints (cola de pata). The chests he makes are still fabricated using only dovetail joints and no nails.  Later on he learned fine carving from a visiting artist from Fonart in Morelia. What’s unique about Alejandro is his constant innovation in combination with traditional woodworking methods.

For generations, the people of Cuanajo have been making rustic, utilitarian pieces to meet the basic needs of the community. Some of the sculptors, like Alejandro, have gone above and beyond, putting their own interpretation to the pieces they make. Perfecting the current level of his knowledge has required many years of hard work and vision.

Alejandro makes tables and chairs, spoons, storage, cabaceros and cups, cuchareros (spoonracks), bauls (trunks). He appeals to the imagination and to his Purépecha heritage for inspiration for the designs used in his work. Although he uses mainly pine, cedar, and a very hard wood called parrota that is sometimes available. Another wood, cirimo, is very beautiful, but difficult to get — the wood has varied coloration.

Tradition is a key to the continuation of folk art and tradition is a very important component in Alejandro's work. Once again, in the fast-paced world in which we live, tradition often stays by the side of the road. His two sons, Alejandro Guadalupe Zoreque and José Alejandro Guadalupe Zoreque, are following in his footsteps and already winning concursos (judged art shows) with their art. They have all won first place national prizes for their artistry as well as many local and state prizes.

The Cuanajo community all mark their wood products with RM — Registered Trademark. "Collective Brand Craft Furniture from Cuanajo Region of Origin", identifying their furniture is from the Cuanajo region. The mark guarantees their work and cannot be copied and that it is recognized as authentic and of the high-quality expected from that area. It also helps them to continue making culturally pure woodwork that can be sold commercially as "traditional" Mexican folk art. The secular techniques are protected and represent their tradition, cultural values, design and symbolism that are used in their work. The whole village acts as a kind of cooperative, working together to keep their work "pure".

Alejandro has excelled in being recognized both locally and nationally. HIs work is featured in the Fomento Cultural book Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano 20 años. 

Priv. Ignacio Allende #20

Cuanajo Mpio. de Pátzcuaro,

Pátzcuaro, Michoacán

4341382771 Whatsapp

alejandroguadalupe800@yahoo.com.mx

Facebook: alejandro.guadalupe.336