Agustin Cruz Prudencio detailed woodcarvings have won him various awards in his home state of Oaxaca, Mexico His work carries on a centuries-old tradition of giving a baby a small carving of their spirit protector. For hundreds of years, woodcarvings of nativity scenes, virgins, saints, and other religious images have held a significant role in daily and spiritual life for the people of Oaxaca.

Agustin learned to carve at a young age by watching his father at work. Agustin’s wife, Carmen Sosa Ojeda, is an excellent painter and collaborates with him to create innovative, elaborately painted woodcarvings.