Vintage Epifanio Fuentes RABBIT Oaxacan Mexico 19" Carved Wood Folk Art SIGNED For Sale

Vintage Epifanio Fuentes RABBIT Oaxacan Mexico 19" Carved Wood Folk Art SIGNED

• By renowned master carverEpifanio Fuentes Vázquez
• Purchased in the '90s at the Turquoise Door Gallery in Austin, Texas

In very good vintage condition with some surface wear
Dimensions: 19"H x 4"W x 9"D
Epifanio Fuentes Vázquez is a highly celebrated Mexican folk artist from Oaxaca, renowned as one of the original master carvers who popularized the world-famous tradition of Oaxacan wood carving, often referred to as alebrijes. Based in the prominent artisan community of San Martín Tilcajete, he has spent decades shaping the cultural landscape of Mexican folk art alongside his family.Artistic Style and Legacy

• Signature Themes: He is best known for crafting charming, long-haired angels, religious figures, human depictions (like Emiliano Zapata), and expressive animals.
• Materials & Sustainability: He primarily carves using local copal, cedar, and zompantle woods. He is a strong advocate for environmental conservation, actively promoting the replanting of trees used by local carvers.
• Family Collaboration: In traditional Oaxacan style, his work is a team effort. Epifanio meticulously carves the wood, while his wife, Laurencia Santiago Hernández, paints the intricate patterns.

The Fuentes DynastyEpifanio's master craftsmanship has been passed down through generations, turning the Fuentes family into a major artistic dynasty:

• His sons Zeny, Efraín, and Iván Fuentes have become highly prominent, world-renowned carvers in their own right, continuing the Zapotec-influenced design styles.