Singular Object. Mobile toy Acrobat gymnast. Craftsman: Don Shinda Workshop. Material: Wood. Hand painted Approximate size: 30x7cm. Origin: Guanajuato Handmade in Mexico
Don Shinda, Gumersindo España Olivares (1935-2018), a third-generation traditional toymaker, was an exponent of several varieties of almost extinct toys, such as those with a clay pendulum, in the style of those little birds that appear to eat corn and whose origin is centuries old. Before he died, he passed on his knowledge to his children and grandchildren, in a workshop that, in addition to being a creative space, is living cultural history.
Wooden toys have a long history in Mexico. Since pre-Hispanic times, indigenous peoples created wooden objects for children's entertainment, using simple shapes and local materials. With the arrival of the Spanish, new techniques and designs were introduced, further enriching this tradition.
