Woodcarver Salvador Camacho

Salvador Camacho will be the first guest woodcarver in our series of art gallery shows highlighting the woodcarvers of Apaseo el Alto. He will be carving in the gallery on the 15^th and 16^th of July. During July and August, we will have a total of four different carvers as guests in the gallery.

Salvador Camacho is now 76. In Apaseo el Alto, he was drawn to the art of woodcarving when he was ten. He began to learn the basics of carving while working out of the studio of Professor Domingo Galván, who started the modern woodcarving movement in Apaseo. He had a God-given gift to carve wood into whatever shapes he wanted, and for the most part, he had to teach himself because his family moved around. He was drawn to the small details in the subjects, which another carver might ignore to cut corners and get the work finished. The small details set Salvador apart and give his carvings texture and life. Salvador continues to work every day in his studio in Apaseo. He works alone, surrounded by almost 240 carvings from his past. He calls these figures “my family.” I asked Salvador if he had a favorite carving from his past and he said he did not. He said, “Actually, I love the mistakes the most, because this is how I learn and grow.” He often begins a pencil sketch on the wood, and then he lets the wood speak to him of the dreams trapped inside. “Once I begin the sketch and start to carve, I realize the potential inside the wood and the work ahead of me. The wood tells me its story. My job is first to listen, then use my gift and creativity to bring it to life.”

He's been published in several books highlighting the art and artists of Mexico and won numerous awards. When he was young, decades ago, they said Salvador was an alchemist with wood.  Today they call him Maestro. 

Salvador’s work will be highlighted at the Galeria Del Impresionismo 83A Zacateros in San Miguel. Salvador will be in the gallery carving from 11 to 6 as part of an Institute de Allende-sponsored art walk in San Miguel.

Details of the art gallery show are listed below.