Blue Rhino

A vivid spectrum of blues decorates this spectacular alebrije sculpture from the talented Zeny and Reyna in Mexico. The rhino is crafted from copal wood and painted in meticulous detail with a remarkable variety of motifs. 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 feverish 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 the nonsense word '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.