If you like art, especially Mexican forms, you may have heard of Alebrijes. All brightly colored folk art sculptures or wood carvings from the state of Oaxaca in Mexico that depict fantastic creatures are said to be known as Alebrijes. These works of art have become extremely popular and the term has even been added to the official Spanish dictionary by the respected Royal Spanish Academy. Find out more below. Today you can find excellent Alebrijes or wood carvings in shops all over the world. Most Oaxacan craftsmen refer to them as wooden figures (figuras), representing the animal from which they are carved. These include animals such as the leopard, raccoon and deer. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayHowever, the artist is usually forced to call the art form Alebrije when a stunning figure with an elaborate design is created. It is important to remember that the authentic Alebrijes created by Mexican artists are not only sculptures of the highest quality, because they also represent a synergy between sculptures and paintings. Instead of canvas, wood carving is used as a background in three-dimensional type paintings. Artists are known to use their creative energy to bring lifeless pieces of wood to life while local ornaments, bright colors, images and symbols are used to produce unique art forms. Generally, the craftsman would imagine a shape that would start the creative process of making the wooden figures. These ideas may arise spontaneously or it may take days or months. Next, a piece of wood will be chosen to create whatever shape you can think of. Many artists carve figures from copalillo wood, while some use cedar and tzomplantle. In addition to using special woods, artists typically use combinations of colors, shapes, symbols and ornaments similar to those used by their ancestors thousands of years ago. It is common to find ornamental paintings and sculptures with shapes depicting an interesting combination of different elements of the artist's religious, physical and cultural background. The artworks also represent the artists' traditions, that is, the legends and myths of their native ancestors, especially the Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs, Mixtecs and many others. All of these elements help make Alebrijes the unique and creative art form it is today. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Painted wooden Alebrijes are quite young as an art form as they were only introduced about thirty years ago. Therefore, they are not well recognized within the international art community. They lack the historical importance, artistic quality and overall beauty of wood carvings created by renowned painters and carvers of Mexico. When you want authentic works of art from skilled Mexican artisans, you should look no further than Alebrijes or wood carvings. These are high quality works of art that you can treasure for many years. Additional resources are available if you need more information about this type of art form or want to know where and how to purchase authentic pieces from Mexico.