The Art of Manuel Cruz Oaxacan Woodcarving Artist

Our gallery is proud to feature Oaxacan artist Manuel Cruz, who just recently won the first price Award from FOFA.

Manuel is one of the top woodcarving artists in Oaxaca today.  This amazing 30 years old craftsman started woodcarving when he was 5 years old.   He started with simple tasks such as sanding the pieces his well-known artist father, Agustin Cruz Tinoco created.  At 11 he was already carving pieces!

"I learned this craft from my parents and when I was 17 I started to create my own pieces and developing new techniques," says Manuel.

Manuel married Ruviela Martinez when he was only 18!  Together they now create wonderful Oaxacan woodcarvings. Manuel carves the sculptures and Ruviela magnificently paints them.

Their favorite pieces are skeletons, catrinas and wild animals.  They have developed a unique style of sculptures, always of great quality and creativity. Manuel says everyday life inspires them, nature's colors, humorous situations.

The Cruz family have a very strong bond. Manuel lives a few houses away from his parents Agustin and Cleotilde, as well as his brother Agustin.

To date, Manuel and Ruviela have won numerous awards for their sculptures,the most recent being the FOFA Award.  They have participated in international exhibitions such as the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico.