Friday, November 7, 2008

Dia de los Muertos 2008

I love the idea of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). It is intended to be a Celebration of Life - a Day of Rebembrance. I grew up in Tucson, Arizona, where there was an infusion of Mexican culture and traditions, but it wasn't until I moved to Denver and became a member of CHAC that I became a fan of Dia de los Muertos. Now I have a huge collection of Day of the Dead art. The art usually depicts the dead as skeletons who have returned for the day to celebrate and participate in activities that they enjoyed when they were alive. It is meant to be happy, not grim in any way. I would think that it helps talk to children about death and make it less scary for them.

Here are some pieces I made for the show this year.


"Kitchen Helpers" - cut sponge in shadow box.



















Sandblasted stones - I sold about 30 various stones and glass with smiling skull images on them.


Skullking - blasted antique mirror.