The beauty of papier-maché, like all forms of Mexican folkart, lies not only in the artistic imagination of the artists, but also in the manner in which it is produced. Using only paper and a water-flour glue, incredibly beautiful and fantastic images are produced. Papier maché figures have been used traditionally in Mexico during holidays and celebrations for centuries.

Despite the French sounding name, papier maché (means chewed paper) was not made in France until the mid 17th century. However, they were the first country in Europe to do so. Papier maché actually originates from China; the inventors of paper itself. They used papier maché to make helmets, which they toughened by many layers of lacquer.

From China, the interest in papier maché spread to Japan and Persia, where it was used in mask making and festival activities. Eventually it spread across the world. Large imports of papier maché objects swamped European markets. This in turn led France to start making its own wares, and England followed suit in the 1670s.

Xochitl (pronounced so-sheel) Fuentes Melchor creates her whimsical papier maché figures from her imagination as well as for the special holidays mentioned above. Her technique is not as "polished" as other papier maché artists, however, the crudeness of her work is what makes it so endearing.

The tradition of papier maché masks in Mexico dates from before the Spanish oppression and is linked to pre-christian magic. In honor of the gods, priests as well as hunters wore masks of gold and gems, which were of course greadily captured by the conquistadores.

In Mexico many papier maché applications have to do with religion and superstition. During the Holy Week before Easter, "Judas dolls" are made. At the Christmas season, the children play with piñatas: these are stars, fish, flowers, small boats, etc., filled with sweets, fruits, nuts and playthings. At the end of the feast, the pinatas are broken and the sweets are eaten.

On Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead, the Mexicans fight Death with humor. Brightly coloured miniature skeletons, skulls and coffins in all shapes and sizes are sold for ofrendas (altars) for their departed loved ones.

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Or contact Marianne Carlson at 01152 376 765 7485 or email mariannecarlson@gmail.com