THE CAT NAHUAL
Angélico Jímenez
From humble beginnings to becoming an international icon of Mexican craftsmanship, the story of Angélico Jiménez Hernández is a testament to passion, perseverance, and deep cultural roots.
Born on June 1, 1954, Angélico Jiménez is the fourth of five children, descended from a family dedicated to the countryside and later to crafts.
His father, the respected master of popular art, Don Manuel Jiménez Ramírez, instilled in him from an early age a love for wood carving, a tradition revered in the roots of San Antonio Arrazola.
Despite having only received up to the sixth grade of primary education, Angélico Jiménez found his true calling in his father’s workshop, where he absorbed the secrets of carving and sculpture. But fate took a monumental turn in 1977, when filmmaker Judith Bronowski discovered the talent of the Jiménez family and decided to portray their story in a documentary that captured the essence of life in San Antonio Arrazola.
He passed 2 years ago. The Cat Nahual was his last piece.
