La Ofrenda

My entry to the Dia De Los Meurtos Challenge at

This was inspired by the ofrendas that are displayed, every year, at the Oakland Museum of Modern Art. There is a Dia de Los Muertos festival that the museum hosts, which my mother and I have gone to since I was a small child. I was always amazed and delighted by how colorful all of las ofrendas, decorations, and traditional foods were. Dia de Los Muertos is a holiday of the dead, where instead of grieving and mourning, the living celebrate the good parts of the lives of their loved ones who have passed on. It is said that on this day (Nov. 1st or 2nd), the deceased return in spirit, to spend time amongst the living. Gifts of favoured food, beverages, and incense are left on the ofrendas for the spirits. There are also traditional foods of this holiday, such as pan de los muertos (plate on the left) and sugar skulls (not shown). Marigolds are also a traditional decoration.

This work has a plate of beef, brocoli, potatoes and gravy, and some scotch, in memory of my maternal grandfather. The grill behind the candles is there for the memory of my friend's father.

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