‘It’s hugely symbolic’: the Mexican artists reclaiming the meaning of piñata

The colorful paper creations have come to be a staple at children’s parties in the US, but some are pushing its boundaries

A turquoise and silver body glistens, with variations of color that suggest feathers. There are two eyes and a ruby-red mouth, but no beak and no sign of wings. This whimsical bird-like creature looks like a sculpture, but it is, in fact, an incredibly detailed piñata – made from cardboard and paper.

Roberto Benavidez, a Mexican-American artist hailing from Texas but now living in Los Angeles said his ornate piñata oeuvre is inspired by Hieronymus Bosch, a Dutch medieval painter known for his fantastical creatures.