The Magical World Of Arturo Caballero's Alebrijes

‘Alebrijes’ are fantastical creatures born out of a Mexican folk art tradition, featuring brightly colored sculptures more often than not adorned with feathers, horns and arching wings. Artist Arturo Caballero draws on this art form to produce unique sculptures that transcend time and space.

Arturo Caballero is an artist based in Mexico City, where he creates his distinctive sculptures of fantastical creatures, drawing on folk art sculptures known as alebrijes. The tradition of creating these phantasmagorical creations began after Mexican artist Pedro Linares woke up from a dream of magically metamorphosed animals: donkeys with wings, birds with horns and a lion with an eagle’s head. Linares brought the art form to the southern state of Oaxaca, where local artisans have since popularized it.

Growing up amidst the shifting colors and shapes of an urban landscape inevitably leads Callabero to have a different take on the potential of alebrijes as an art form. His frequent trips out of the metropolis bring him into contact with nature’s contrasting forms: the plants, animals and vistas of the central plains of Mexico. Combining these elements, Caballero has developed a style which taps into the lifeline of Mexican culture, while at the same producing something undeniably otherworldly.

Arturo has been creating alebrijes for over a decade, working to promote different areas of the visual arts within Mexico. Convinced that these beings, the alebrijes, have given him the possibility to transmit a little known part of Mexican culture to a wider audience, he has taken part in national art exhibitions, and promoted the art form at competitions, museums and galleries around the country and internationally.

The characters Arturo creates exist in a universe of their own, but the colors and forms are reminiscent of sculptures by Japanese artists Yayoi Kusama and Takashi Murakami. Meticulously designed with intricate, often psychedelic coloring, Arturo’s alebrijes range from 10 inches in height to six-foot monsters. Malevolence doesn’t exist within these creatures though, as anyone can see that the curling forms of these cats, rabbits and lizards are purely expressions of the joy of creation.

Meticulously designed with intricate, often psychedelic coloring, Arturo’s alebrijes range from ten inches in height to six-foot monsters. Malevolence doesn’t exist within these creatures though, as anyone can see that the curling forms of these cats, rabbits and lizards are purely expressions of the joy of creation.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.