Alebrijes & Nahuales Art Installations

Celebrating Culture, Creativity and Community

Salinas Valley Health is proud to welcome two extraordinary works from the world-renowned Alebrijes & Nahuales: Fantastical Animals of México exhibition: Friends Forever by Efraín Fuentes and Jaguar Nahual 2 by Angélico Jiménez. Both pieces are hand-carved from wood and finished with acrylic paint, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship and artistic traditions of Oaxaca, México.

About the Artists

Efraín Fuentes Santiago A third-generation woodcarver from San Martín Tilcajete, Efraín Fuentes creates vibrant sculptures inspired by Zapotec culture and the rich artistic traditions of Oaxaca. Working alongside his family, he also produces intricate anatomical sculptures that uniquely blend traditional folk art with themes of healing and the human body.

Angélico Jiménez Hernández (1954–2025) The son of renowned folk artist Don Manuel Jiménez Ramírez, Angélico Jiménez helped bring Oaxacan woodcarving to an international audience. Celebrated for his expressive nahuales, his work honors Indigenous traditions while showcasing the enduring connection between humans, animals, and the natural world.

What Are Alebrijes and Nahuales?

Alebrijes are brilliantly colored, hand-crafted sculptures that combine features of real and imagined animals into fantastical beings. Originally inspired by the dreamlike creations of Mexican artist Pedro Linares, Oaxacan artisans embraced the tradition through intricate wood carving and hand painting, resulting in works that have become internationally recognized symbols of Mexican folk art.

Nahuales have roots in Indigenous Mesoamerican traditions and represent the spiritual connection between humans and animals. In many cultural interpretations, a nahual is an animal counterpart or guardian spirit that symbolizes transformation, strength, wisdom, and protection.

Together, alebrijes and nahuales celebrate imagination, identity, and the enduring relationship between people, nature, and culture.

Art That Heals

These sculptures bring creativity and vibrant tradition to our Medical Center, creating a welcoming environment for our patients, visitors, staff, and community. Building on our Student Art Initiative—which showcases artwork by local Hartnell College, CSU Monterey Bay and Rancho Cielo students—our Alebrijes & Nahuales installations reflect Salinas Valley Health's belief that healing extends beyond medicine. Together, these installations foster comfort, inspire reflection, and strengthen our connection to the people we serve.

Thanks to the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce's efforts to bring the internationally celebrated Alebrijes & Nahuales exhibition to Salinas, Salinas Valley Health is honored to serve as one of the community locations showcasing these remarkable pieces.