If you’re an art admirer or even a Pixar fan, you might have caught glimpses of these fascinating forms a time or two. They’re imaginary, chimera-like creatures originating in Mexico. Internationally-acclaimed artist Pedro Linares allegedly created them from dreams he had during a bout of illness but designed them as decorations for a masquerade led by José Gómez Rosas.

Originally, a cartonero, he designed piñatas and judases mimicking the colors and patterns of these alebrijes. He later sold his work to artists like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, gaining so much recognition that director Judith Bronowski documented a film in 1970 about his work. In 1990 he won the National Prize for Popular Arts and Traditions.

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