Pedro Linares López was a Mexican artist. He was born in Mexico City, and coined the term Alebrije, or zoomorphic Cartonera figures. In addition to creating a variety of paintings and sculptures, Linares also coined a number of other terms and techniques. These include wood carving and papier-mache figures. In addition to his acclaimed paintings and sculptures, Linares also created several popular Mexican folk art pieces, including wood carvings, paper-mache figures, and even a variety of ceramic works.
Artisan pedro linares
Pedro Linares began his career making Judas figures, which are traditionally made of cartons during the Easter season in Mexico. He later made figures for Diego Rivera and Frida Kaho, and his work was sold locally for years. However, after a 1975 documentary about him, his work became popular internationally. The film also earned him the National Prize for Popular Arts and Traditions. Sadly, Linares died in 1992, but his legacy lives on.
Although Linares’ legacy is still very much alive in the art of alebrijes, it has been decades since his death. Although he was only in his mid-thirties at the time, his legacy lives on through his art and the work of his apprentices. Today, these artisans continue the artistry of their predecessors by creating a line of enchanted wooden creatures known as alebrijes. These fantastic creatures can be seen all over the Oaxacan region, and they are incredibly unique.
The name of these creations is derived from a Spanish word that means “falling.” While this may not seem to relate to the enchanting, brightly colored figures of Pedro Linares, the name has become synonymous with Mexican folk art and is the result of the artist’s artistic ability. The line of work he produces has become one of the most popular pieces in Mexico City. It is hard to find a work that has not received such praise.
Mexican folk art
If you’ve been following the world of Mexico folk art, you’ve probably noticed the doodle honoring the artist, Pedro Linares Lopez. This artist was born in Mexico City on June 29, 1906, and is credited with the invention of the Alebrijes sculpture, a distinctive symbol of Mexican culture. The colorful, paper-mache animals he created are unique products of Mexico’s artistic tradition and are rooted in pre-Hispanic art.
Originally from the state of Guanajuato, Linares began creating his famous alebrijes after having a feverish dream in which he encountered fantastical creatures. Inspired by the creatures, Linares began making the sculptures and sold them locally for many years. However, his work became popular after a 1975 documentary film about him brought him international fame. Since his death, his work has been produced by descendants.
The talavera industry has become an independent guild, with artists from many areas of the country working on the craft. This artisanry has been influenced by many cultures and uses recycled, led-free glass and hollow pipe. This unique art form has inspired tourists to visit Jalisco to purchase pieces of art made by the artisans and observe the process. The colorful art is not only beautiful, but also makes for an interesting souvenir.
Many descendants of Pedro Linares and his work are still carving and decorating alebrijes today. Many papier-mache artists in Mexico City still create these intricately carved pieces. The folk art national museum in Mexico City holds an annual Alebrije’s Night celebration, which features a giant parade with more than 200 artists, a puppet theater, and tales of mythical creatures. A large, colorful parade of alebrijes is held every May.
Wood carving
While exhibiting his work at the Sonora Market in Mexico City, you can see the descendants of Pedro Linares whose wood carvings are recognizable from the movie Coco. These descendants recreate their father’s works using papier-mache and cardboard. While the website has its glitches, the family website tells the story of the artist’s childhood and how he began creating his “alebrije” dream.
In Mexico, this famous wood carving is often a piece of art made from copal, a traditional tree that grows in Oaxaca. The Oaxacan artisans are more accustomed to working with wood and the Copal tree. Pedro Linares’ works are also less common than his paperboard counterparts. But while he may not have been connected to the city, his legacy continues. His children and grandchildren continue the tradition of making these unique pieces.
Some of his work is now used as decorations at Day of the Dead celebrations. His sons, Angelico and Isaias, continue his work. The younger Linares also have their own workshops. Angelico was even accepted at an international competition of wood carvers in China. Although his art is not widely known, his creations are now displayed in world galleries. They are the works of a man who has lived and worked in Mexico City.
Papier-mache figures
Paper-mache crafters from Mexico City, such as Pedro Linares Lopez, began producing these strange creatures when he was just a boy. He worked as a cartonero in the neighborhood of La Merced and was inspired by a feverish dream about a faun or a mythical creature. As the years passed, he continued to create his unique designs, bringing worldwide recognition to the craft during the 1968 Summer Olympics.
In 1935, Linares was ill and dreamt of monsters called alebrijes. After his dream, he molded the figures and painted them. While they don’t look like real monsters, they are a representation of animals that had saved him in the past. Although the original idea is not fully known, these paper-mache creations are remarkably realistic and are now widely recognized as a form of Mexican art.
While a Mexican folk artist, Linares Lopez was renowned for creating papier-mache animals. His work includes the famous “albrije” and the calevera, which he coined. The sculptor’s work was collected by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Although Linares died in 1990, his art inspired countless artists who have carried on his legacy.
Dreams
In his dream, the author of The Dreams of Pedro Linares was walking in a forest, feeling healthy. There were tall trees and a blue sky. Later in the dream, Linares encountered monsters made of stitched-together parts of animals. Some of the creatures were goats with wings, roosters with antlers, rabbits with fire breath, and others. Linares woke up feeling better, but he kept staring at these creatures.
After his dream, Linares created the fantasy animals that would eventually become his famous artworks. His dreams included a forest full of strange creatures, such as a lion with an eagle’s head and a donkey with butterfly wings. Linares won the first Mexican National Prize in Arts and Sciences for this work. He died at the age of 88 in 1992, but his art lives on.
Death
“The Death of Pedro Linares López” is the name given to the Mexican artist who coined the term Alebrije, a zoomorphic Cartonera figure. Pedro Linares López was born in Mexico City and died at the age of sixty-two. His work includes some of the most famous cartenera figures, including the iconic “Celeste.”
Born in 1906, Linares studied papier-mache sculptures under his father and was already a master of pinatas at the age of 12. He later moved on to skeletal figures and began creating alebrijes, which he named after his wife, Gabina. His papier-mache creations were influenced by a dream he had in 1945. The Museum of Anthropology at Wake Forest University explains that the artist was inspired to create the works after this dream.
In 1975, a documentary about Linares brought attention to his work worldwide. It starred Judith Bronowski and described Linares’ life and art. He later received the first Mexican National Prize for the Arts and Sciences and was also awarded a prize for Popular Arts and Traditions. Unfortunately, Linares was not able to live long after the film’s release, and died in 1992. However, the movie’s success helped him gain international recognition.
The artist’s work inspired thousands of people, including Diego Rivera and Frida Kaho. Although his work was sold locally for decades, he later received international recognition with a Judith Bronowski documentary in 1975. This work influenced many artists, and his legacy continues to live on through his descendants. It is worth a visit to the Anahuacalli Museum in Mexico City. If you like it, you’ll be able to find it at the Anahuacalli Museum.
