Alfonso Castillo Orta

He was particularly known for his trees of life sculptures and received various awards for his work, including the Premio Nacional de Ciencias y Artes in 1996.

[5] He became particularly noted for his inventive trees of life, diversifying themes to include mole, other religious stories and festivals such as Day of the Dead .

[2] Castillo Orta became the center of popular art in Izúcar de Matamoros, leading the other artisans and making the town's polychromatic pottery known internationally.

[1] (abetran) Other awards include first place at the Consurso Diciembre en la Tradición Popular of the Secretaría de Educación Pública in 1985, first place at the Gran Premio de Arte Popular in 1992 and 1994, an honorable mention at the Candelero Traditional competition of UNESCO in Havana in 1995, and the title of “grand master” by the Fomento Cultural Banamex in 2001.

[1][5] Most of the work found here is either for display only, such as a tree of life dedicated to Frida Kahlo or those destined for pre-existing orders.

[2] The family is still best known for trees of life with elements ranging from Catrinas, angels, demons, warriors, skeletons, musicians and more.