Oaxacan Folk Art

Tradition, creativity, imagination, and most of all, COLOR.

The Valley of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, is one of the great centers of folk art in the world. It is home to 16 indigenous cultures, 8 distinctive languages, and 52 dialects.

The unique style of Oaxacan folk art stems from the convergence and blending of its’ rich history and heritage. Oaxacan history reaches back more than 2500 years when ancestors of the present-day Zapotec people founded the city of Monte Alban. Indigenous myths, legends, beliefs in spirits and deities were joined with Catholic beliefs and ritual. This blending of traditions has created a fascinating and rich style that is present today in the art of the people.

Many villages specialize in a single craft. Whether practical, religious, or purely decorative, generation after generation of families carry on the craft tradition. The artisans work with their hands and each piece is unique and personal. Some traditions, like the weaving at Teotitlan del Valle are ancient. Patterns in the wool rugs can be traced back for centuries and carry deep meaning for the culture. Some art forms are relatively modern, such as the woodcarvings from the villages of San Martin Tilcajete, San Antonio Arrazola, and La Union Tejalapan.

Whether ancient or modern, the folk arts of Oaxaca reflect the beauty of the people and the place. There is a close connection to the natural world in the use of native materials and colors. Skilled artists are deeply bonded to the earth and to their history. Blue sky, warm sun, red earth, white clouds, a riot of flowers, and always, TRADITION.