religious art

This strong bull alebrije hand carved from copal wood has the fire of the sun hand painted across his back. Orange and brown, the bull is covered with hand painted details in warm colors. This alebrije is handcrafted by artisans Zeny and Reyna of Mexico. The bull's small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

Each alebrije is unique, as the artist works with the individual shape of each specific copal branch to determine the final design.

Hindu mythology is populated by a plethora of deities, but few are as instantly recognizable as Ganesha thanks to his distinctive elephant head. Indian artist Bharti Dayal strips the god of wisdom and good fortune of all the pomp and ostentatious embellishments with which he is usually characterized to give us a more simple, relaxed scene where he is enjoying a quiet time under the sun and embracing nature. The folk painting in the traditional Madhubani style is crafted with acrylic paint and vegetable dyes on handmade paper.

The river Ganges is as majestic as a Hindu deity--that is why it is actually personified as Ganga, the goddess of purification and forgiveness. In this striking folk painting done in classic Madhubani style, renowned Indian artist Bharti Dayal recreates the legend of Shiva holding Ganga on his head to let an outlet for the river to flow freely and reach all humans with its purifying water. God Shiva is known by the name of Gangadhar in this representation created with acrylic paint and vegetable dyes on handmade paper.

Indian artist Bharti Dayal imagines a tender scene between Hindu goddess Parvati, wife of Shiva, and his infant son, god Ganesha, who is instantly recognizable for having an elephant head. The artist crafts the charming folk painting in traditional Madhubani style by applying acrylic paint and vegetable dyes on handmade paper with sharpened reeds, pen nibs and brushes.

The image of the sun centers this Indian Madhubani painting, surrounded by colorful birds and fish at the top and bottom in expression of a unity between all living things. This painting depicts the birth of the Hindu sun god, painted by Ambika Devi. She adds intricate leaf motifs with linework characteristic of the Madhubani style. Vegetable dyes on handmade paper give the painting a vibrant look.