Alejandro Camacho Barrera's imaginative art takes life from wood, cardboard, and vegetable fibers. He has made traditional alebrije toys for 25 years.

Alejandro's great-grandfather worked with wood building canoes. His father was a carpenter. They were also farmers and there was no money available for Alejandro to bring the alebrijes and toys he imagined to life.

He has had no formal art schooling and works now in the family workshop primarily with his wife. They work together inventing new techniques and designs for their toys and alebrijes. First, they discuss what they will be making and his wife draws out the design. In the case of cartonería (paper maché but using the paper on the outside of cardboard boxes), elaborate molds must be made and then covered with the carton (cardboard).

When Alejandro makes alebrijes, the same process is followed but because they are very large, his family and friends assist him in the process. His prototypes have been exhibited throughout Mexico and as he does not allow others to copy his ideas, he is known for his distinctive and unconventional designs.

Canal Atlicolco 48

Col Barrio 18

Xochimilco DF, Mexico555 489 9280, 443 316 5290 WhatsApplalulajuguetepopularmexicano@hotmail.comeljuguetedemadera@gmail.comFacebook: La Lula Taller de Jugeteriía Popular Mexicana