Dia de los Muertos

Media: oil on gallery wrapped canvas
Dimensions: 14 x 11
Date of Work: 2007

Winner
Member's Mention

Though the subject matter may be considered morbid from the perspective of some other cultures, celebrants typically approach the Day of the Dead joyfully, and though it occurs at the same time as Halloween, All Saints' Day and All Souls Day, the traditional mood is much brighter with emphasis on celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased, and celebrating the continuation of life; the belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage in life.

Some people believe the spirits of the dead eat the "spiritual essence" of the ofrenda food, so even though the celebrators eat the food after the festivity, they believe it lacks nutritional value.

Having lived in Mexico as a small child I have always been fascinated by "the Day of the Dead" and the joy with which the skeleton and skull images are used. The idea of a sweet sugary treat wrapped in such a morbid image appeals to me emensely

This is my interpretation of the Day of the Dead. The spiritual essence of the "ofrenda" or offering is reflected in the slight red inside the rib cage approximately where the heart would be. There is still a melancholy in the spirit, as there is with death. Rituals surrounding the dead and dying are for the living, and are filled with the dichotomy of joy and sadness.

I chose to do this painting in oils as apposed to my usual acrylics becuase I wanted it to not only have the depth and glisten only oils can have but also becuase I wanted more of an "old world" feeling to this painting.