Don Tomas / Tin Master


In northern part of Oaxaca, Mexico

Aamu and Master Don Tomas at his Hojalateria.

In an old book in an old bookstore in Oaxaca we find an article about Hojalata masters Alfonso Santiago Leyva and Victor Hernandez, famous masters who brought Hojalata making to Oaxaca. We learn that a hojateria with the same name is still active in northern Oaxaca. One late evening we find Alfonso’s son Tomas Ricardo working at his workshop with his wife, sister and two assistants. Tomas Ricardo is really skillful in especially three dimensional items like boxes, toys, figurines and ferris wheels. Inspired by these we design a set of small houses, a bus with with passengers and an ice-cream kiosk.

Master Tomas and the secrets of Hojalata tin works.
Dona Guadalupe Violeta. Anilin paints are used for brilliant translucent colours.

Work of the Masters