Carolina Sandoval Melchor ventured into the world of art through her family heritage of the elaboration of carved wooden figures, also from her indigenous Zapotec community of San Martin Tilcajete, and through the teaching of relatives.

She has had an affinity for the arts since she was a child, when she began to learn art at the Oaxacan House of Culture, where she developed the love and passion for painting.
Later after completing her education with a degree in design, she dedicated herself to painting carved wood. Along the way she learned from the hand of the master craftsmen of Tilcajete.

She met her husband, Kengi, who also, like Carolina, was the 3rd generation of artisans carving wood. They unified their knowledge and they started painting masks and small pieces with simple dots and lines, which has now become their own style, their personal mark on each piece and above all the craft activity that provides for their family. 

Their pieces are 100% made by between she and her husband. Her husband carves the wood, cures and applies the resin. Carolina does the painting, reflecting a textile influence. She is originally from San Martin Tilcajete, a community of Zapotec origin, that 70 years ago was dedicated to the traditional bordado textiles of the central valleys, so she has an affinity for the handling of textiles, and her husband is originally from the neighboring Zapotec community, Santo Tomas Jalieza, that in addition to wood carving is also a craft center of backstrap loom weaving, so their pieces will always have a textile touch that complements them.

Feria Maestros del Arte 2025

AWARDS

·       2016 Friends of Oaxaca folk Art - Honoring our roots, exploring our dreams. Honorable Mentions in the category of Painting on carved wood

·       2022 Friends of Oaxaca Folk Art - Finding hope through art

·      2025 Friends of Oaxaca Folk Art - Mi Historia entre mis manos

·       2022 Citibanamex Contest in carving category - outstanding

·      2024 Citibanamex Contest in carving category -outstanding

ARTIST INFORMATION

San Martin Tilcajete, #6,

San Martin tilcajete, Ocotlán de
Morelos, Oaxaca 71506  

cel 95 1403 5639

carolinasandoval.di@gmail.com 

Instagram gica.oax