These brightly colored guajes-also called bules, are gourds transformed into artistic masterpieces by National Handicrafts Award winner and master artisan, Juan Vazquez Menor. From a small city in Central Mexico called Temalacatzingo, Guerrero, Juan creates these eye catching pieces of art that can only be made using traditional methods developed by his family. It takes 1-2 months to finish one piece and each piece sold supports his family’s livelihood.
With care, he patiently polishes, delicately cuts and finely sands the inside and outside of the gourds. The vibrant wildlife and animals depicted on the surfaces of the guajes are painted brilliantly using homemade paint he makes naturally from minerals and plants gathered from around his village.
These dazzling guajes brighten up any room and each design tells its own unique story. As interest in this artform declines, Juan is proud to preserve his family’s legacy by dedicating his life to continuing the traditions of their culture and honoring their inherited customs.