Armando Jiménez Aragón is the grandson of Manuel Jiménez, founder of the Oaxacan wood carving tradition known as alebrijes. Manuel and his sons live on the lower plaza in San Antonio Arrazola, Oaxaca.

The story of Manuel Jiménez is now part of Oaxacan folklore. He struggled out of poverty to become one of the world's most renowned woodcarvers. His early work focused on animals and people and he continues making realistic animals. Occasionally, he will add a twist or contortion to their forms.

Armando's father chose to be a farmer instead of a carver and family relations are still strained. He and his brother Moisés are self-taught carvers. They did not begin carving until they were in their twenties. The whimsical animal pieces are painted by their wives.

The tourism that Oaxacan artists rely on for their livelihoods has been in jeopardy over the last year and a half due to civil unrest and travel bans that have kept the tourists away. Bringing these woodcarvers to Feria Maestros del Arte along with other folk artists from Oaxaca will hopefully open the eyes of Feria-goers to the fact that Oaxaca is once again a safe place to travel and seek out the art that Oaxaca has become famous for.

Taller de Alebrijes

San Antonio Arrazola, Oaxaca

951 325 9400

www.facebook.com/ArmandoyAntonia

armandojimenez1967@yahoo.com