Oaxacan Folk Art Pegasus Alebrije, "Rainbow Pegasus"

Mexico's Esteban Hernandez works in the wonderful Oaxacan folk art form known as alebrijes to create this unique pegasus sculpture. He carves the winged horse from copal wood, and then carefully paints it in minute detail with a rainbow of colors. Removable parts are detached for safe shipping.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930's in Mexico City. A man named Pedro Linares was taken ill, and in his fevered dreams he saw a strange land populated with curious creatures--a donkey with wings, a rooster with bull's horns, and a lion with the head of a dog. The beasts all ran at him, shouting "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache.