From the origin
Despite the arrival of Catholicism brought by the Spanish, the native artists found a way of expressing themselves within the new syncretic order.
Skull by Vicente Barroco ReyesMuseo de Arte Popular
The sacred rights of the modern day native communities contain an important measure of fervor and magic.
Crowned nun by AnónimoMuseo de Arte Popular
The objects of popular art form part of them, concentrating the symbols and expressing the concepts of transcendence, magic, life and death, and the mystery of the divinities.
The grinning skull
The relationship that the Mexicans have with death is festive. The representations of death in popular art are generally through grinning skulls in a spirit of humor and celebration.
Sara García by Los OlvidadosMuseo de Arte Popular
Some of these figures evoke popular figures, such as politicians and stars of stage and screen...
Miners by Mauricio HernándezMuseo de Arte Popular
... although they also portray scenes from daily life, like these miners.
In clay, ceramic and often in cardboard, these figures are examples of how the artisans translate the relation that they establish between the sacred and profane.
Godmother Death by Benito Rivera SotenoMuseo de Arte Popular
Much of these pieces are recognized as works of art, for the work that is required to create them.
An example is this piece from the Soteno family, that work in clay, and who invest each image with fine little details that make them unique pieces.
The work of these families of artisans is admirable, because every year they reinvent the Day of the Dead celebration with their creativity.
Because in the end it will happen to all of us...
"Death is democratic, because in the end, blond or dark, rich or poor, all people ends up being a calavera". José Guadalupe Posada.
