The Oaxaca Diaries 2021: San Martín Tilcajete
Two years later we return to visit the family of the master craftsman Margarito again.
Mototaxi - Oaxaca, 2021
After getting off the bus we had to take a motorcycle taxi, as is the custom in rural Oaxaca. The girl who guides it does it with skill and very quickly takes us to our destination.
Leonel - Oaxaca, 2021
Our friend and son of the master Margarito Leonel welcomes us and shows us the latest works, precious pieces of carved wood that are enriched with magical colors.
The alebrije is a totemic animal, a typical figure of Mexican folklore, which embodies a spirit-guide, a kind of guardian angel or benevolent demon who assists the life of a person, bearing his destiny inscribed. The alebrijes gave birth to a flourishing art that also depicts them in the forms of fantastic animals. San Martín Tilcajete is the craddle of this kind of craftsmanship and its municipality is best known for the production of these wood carvings.
In 2019 we met us for the first time, during my day of the dead photography expedition and a friendship is born. We kept us in contact and finally this year we achieved to meet us again.
Mask
Cow Skull painted
Some pieces
Dog
Personally I prefer the colors of this laboratory over others, which have excessively bright colors. What the master Margarito proposes is a well-defined and recognizable style.
Margarito
Margarito’s dad
Mezcal
The mezcal flows. As we speak we can see the meeting between similar spirits. I buy a bottle of the type you see in the photo. It is a refined mezcal elaborated by experienced craftsmen mezcaleros in Santa Catarina Minas, a municipality in the state of Oaxaca in south-western Mexico, part of the Ocotlan district.
Family
Little girl
Little girl 2
The most loyal followers already know the story of this little girl. For all the others, I refer you to the photos in the agency's archive:
Little girl 3
She recognized me and accepted to be photographed again.
I invite you to follow Maestro Margarito through his instagram:
San Martin Tilcajete will be the center of the Carnival in 2022 and I am proposing a special workshop. The spots available are limited to 6 participants. Check out on the shop:
ARE YOU READY TO PHOTOGRAPH THE DEVILS?
Experience the Carnival in Oaxaca, Mexico with the photojournalist Alex Coghe
6 DAYS PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
DATES TO CONFIRM. The cost for the 6 days is 2900 US$ - Early Bird Workshop Inscriptions special discount until December 1st, : 2500 US$
Contact Alex for all the info.
Location: Oaxaca
Experience the Carnival in San Martín Tilcajete with the published Italian photojournalist and street photographer Alex Coghe. Alex has been living in Mexico for 12 years and knows very well Oaxaca where since 2015 he has been directing expeditions and workshops, working with communities of Mixteca, Valle Central, Sierra Norte and Istmo.
All the experiences with Alex are a guarantee to work as photographers with a lot of fun and learning a lot about people, culture, language, and the world renowned Oaxacan culinary cuisine.
One of the world’s most unique festivals, the Carnival San Martín Tilcajete in the state of Oaxaca, México, is a total human experience. We will visit the towns of San Martín de Tilcajete, Ocotlan and Zaachila.
We will apply the apprach of Street Photography in order to emphasize the surreal of the celebrations.
The workshop is a full immersion experience offered by Alex Coghe and includes storytelling feedback and image review sessions.
THE COST INCLUDES: Tuition, e-books, certificate, exclusive print, professional portfolio review, mentoring program, FEATURE on THE STREET PHOTOGRAPHY CHANNEL on YouTube.
PLEASE NOTE: WE DON’T PROVIDE ANYMORE ACCOMODATIONS BECAUSE WE WANT TO AVOID PEOPLE THINKING TO DO A VACATION AND NOT INTERESTED IN THE WORKSHOP. WE CAN RECOMMEND HOTELS ON THE LOCATION OF THE EXPEDITION. WE WILL COUNT WITH A NICE MEETING POINT FOR OUR BRIEFINGS AND FEEDBACK.
Limited spots available: Workshops are limited to 6 participants. To make this unique workshop with a small group allows Alex to provide a one-on-one photography coaching experience for all the participants. The workshop will take place also with 1 attendant.
Workshop payment deadline: The full payment needs must be completed no later than 2023, on December 20th. Please contact us for payment options.
PLEASE NOTE: The experience complies with the recommended health provisions and respecting the safety of each participant.
If you come from Mexico City we can go together with the private car. Please contact us for this option.
