~ About Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Statues ~
~ New & Vintage Chalkwhere ~
Embrace your Inner Skeleton!
Skeletons are easily the most recognized symbol of Dia de los Muertos and they are portrayed in all their bony glory in every imaginable guise or profession: doctors, dancers, surfers, cyclists, rock band performers, hair-dressers, priests, nuns, barbers, chefs, divas, painters, mothers, fathers, cats and dogs; you name it and you will be able to find a skeleton to match. This Gallery shows vintage chalkware (plaster) statuary that has been 'skeletonized'. These pieces are suitable for display during Day of the Dead festivities or year-round.
Praemonitus praemunitus: You may be offended!
A few years ago I received an angry email from a lady who happened across one of my skeletonized Madonnas for sale on the internet. She informed me that I was committing blasphemy, but, never fear, she would pray for my eternal soul and petition God that I not be damned to hell. My first reaction was to go into defensive mode, however, I held my tongue (which for me is nearly impossible) and thought about how to respond appropriately. Then it dawned on me; this was a good thing! Art is meant to elicit an emotional response from the viewer, is it not? Otherwise, what is the point? For example, one might gaze upon a still life, say, a painting of a bowl of fruit, and feel relatively comfortable; nothing bad, scary, or blasphemous is going on anywhere on the canvas. Fruit is safe (usually). Plus, one doesn't need to think too deeply when viewing a bowl of fruit, right? However, viewing a religious icon that has been 'defaced' is wading into dangerous waters. Change one hair on the image of Christ, the Madonna, the Virgin of Guadalupe, or Saint Fill-in-the-Blank and some people LOSE THEIR MINDS! Suddenly, it became clear to me that I had finally, in all my years of creating Art, elicited a deep emotional response! In this light, there was only one way to respond to the soul-lashing: I had to pull Jiminy Cricket from the pit of ignorance and bring her into the light. Upon this realization I dove right in and explained the basic customs and symbols of Day of the Dead. I even hinted at the existence of religious or cultural practices (other than hers) which she might endeavor to explore. I then thanked her for viewing my work and wished her well.
That said, enjoy (or not) the skeletonized icons in this Gallery and feel free to pray for me; Lord knows I'd be in pretty good shape if transforming vintage plaster saints into skeletons was my worst sin!
Skeletons are easily the most recognized symbol of Dia de los Muertos and they are portrayed in all their bony glory in every imaginable guise or profession: doctors, dancers, surfers, cyclists, rock band performers, hair-dressers, priests, nuns, barbers, chefs, divas, painters, mothers, fathers, cats and dogs; you name it and you will be able to find a skeleton to match. This Gallery shows vintage chalkware (plaster) statuary that has been 'skeletonized'. These pieces are suitable for display during Day of the Dead festivities or year-round.
Praemonitus praemunitus: You may be offended!
A few years ago I received an angry email from a lady who happened across one of my skeletonized Madonnas for sale on the internet. She informed me that I was committing blasphemy, but, never fear, she would pray for my eternal soul and petition God that I not be damned to hell. My first reaction was to go into defensive mode, however, I held my tongue (which for me is nearly impossible) and thought about how to respond appropriately. Then it dawned on me; this was a good thing! Art is meant to elicit an emotional response from the viewer, is it not? Otherwise, what is the point? For example, one might gaze upon a still life, say, a painting of a bowl of fruit, and feel relatively comfortable; nothing bad, scary, or blasphemous is going on anywhere on the canvas. Fruit is safe (usually). Plus, one doesn't need to think too deeply when viewing a bowl of fruit, right? However, viewing a religious icon that has been 'defaced' is wading into dangerous waters. Change one hair on the image of Christ, the Madonna, the Virgin of Guadalupe, or Saint Fill-in-the-Blank and some people LOSE THEIR MINDS! Suddenly, it became clear to me that I had finally, in all my years of creating Art, elicited a deep emotional response! In this light, there was only one way to respond to the soul-lashing: I had to pull Jiminy Cricket from the pit of ignorance and bring her into the light. Upon this realization I dove right in and explained the basic customs and symbols of Day of the Dead. I even hinted at the existence of religious or cultural practices (other than hers) which she might endeavor to explore. I then thanked her for viewing my work and wished her well.
That said, enjoy (or not) the skeletonized icons in this Gallery and feel free to pray for me; Lord knows I'd be in pretty good shape if transforming vintage plaster saints into skeletons was my worst sin!
