Oaxacan Crafts and Sports

A glimpse of Jacobo and María Ángeles' workshop

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Zapotec roots in action

In the streets of San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca, lies the workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles. Based on the Zapotec philosophy of Guelaguetza, their space is a fusion of sharing, teaching, and action for the community.

Just as an artisan dedicates time, patience, and skill to creating a unique piece, an athlete trains with discipline and perseverance to excel and compete at the highest level.

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Crafts and sports

Oaxacan handicrafts are not just objects; they reflect entire communities, their stories, and lives. In the same way, sports create communities, bring people together, and forge identities.

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Transforming the everyday

Jacobo and María Ángeles worked on the helmet of Mexican racing driver Patricio O'Ward who took part in the Indianapolis 500, one of the oldest motor racing events of its kind.

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Honoring the Zapotec culture

In this piece, the rattlesnake represents ultimate power, the sun is hope, the fish symbolizes respect, the ant is synonymous with work, the wind signifies movement, the sheep represents strength, while the labyrinth alludes to the search.

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Deep roots in tradition

Just as Oaxacan crafts represent generations of knowledge and skills passed down over time, sports are a manifestation of activities and competitions carried out since ancient times.

The three principles of Jacobo and María Ángeles' workshop: Share what you have, teach what you know, do something for your people.

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Heart between Art and Soccer

Art and Soccer is a collaboration seeking to bridge the senses of art, craftsmanship, and sports. A close encounter between two worlds thanks to the dedication and heart invested in both practices: sports and crafts.

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

A meeting of two adjacent worlds

This collaboration involved designing the official jerseys of six Mexican football league teams: León, Atlas, Querétaro, Santos, Pachuca, and Xolos.

Crafts and sports workshops, Fernando Moisés Hernández Córdoba, 2023-06-30, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
,
Crafts and sports workshops, Fernando Moisés Hernández Córdoba, 2023-06-30, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
,
Crafts and sports workshops, Fernando Moisés Hernández Córdoba, 2023-06-30, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
,
Crafts and sports workshops, Fernando Moisés Hernández Córdoba, 2023-06-30, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
,
Crafts and sports workshops, Fernando Moisés Hernández Córdoba, 2023-06-30, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
,
Crafts and sports workshops, Fernando Moisés Hernández Córdoba, 2023-06-30, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Show lessRead more

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Designs with identity

These jerseys reinterpret the symbolic values of each team's identity and combine them with the Zapotec symbolism characteristic of Jacobo and María Ángeles' artisanal practice.

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Jerseys with artisanal soul

Jacobo and María Ángeles also imprinted their personality and talent on the jerseys of the Guerreros and Diablos baseball teams, turning them into the most anticipated shirts among Mexican baseball fans.

Crafts and sports workshops, Fernando Moisés Hernández Córdoba, 2023-06-30, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
,
Crafts and sports workshops, Fernando Moisés Hernández Córdoba, 2023-06-30, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Show lessRead more

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

A universal language

These collaborations are a reminder of how different sports disciplines can dialogue and give rise to great artistic expression.

"May the sun illuminate you and the wind guide you, may water and earth give you what you need, so that your body, soul, and spirit are always together."

Master Jacobo Ángeles Ojeda

Crafts and sports workshops (2023-06-30) by Fernando Moisés Hernández CórdobaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

The canvas and the field: cultural dialogue

When art and sports converge, a language is born that celebrates not only our passions but also our rich culture. The canvas and the field are not so different after all.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Mexican Sports: More Than a Game
Explore Mexico's sporting history, culture, and communities
View theme

Interested in Visual arts?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites