whimsical sculpture is a Mexican Oaxacan wood carving (alebrije) hand-crafted from copal wood. It is the work of Inocencio Vásquez Melchor (frequently signed as Inocencio Melchor), a recognized folk art artisan from the famous carving village of San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca, Mexico.His signature style is heavily defined by exaggerated, wide-stretching open mouths (often seen in his crocodiles, frogs, and fantasy creatures) combined with intricate, bright multi-colored dot and starburst patterns. Pieces like this are carved entirely by hand with simple knives and machetes before beingmeticulously decorated with acrylic paints.