All tagged Day of the Dead
Felipe Jasso is a Mexican Canadian photographer and graduate of the Alberta University of the Arts. His work is influenced by the magical realism found in Latin literature, surrealism, classical art, and symbolism. He investigates the subconscious, memory, and his inner desires. Using symbolism and complex tableaux, Jasso brings to the forefront fragments of his experiences as a kid growing up in Mexico, an immigrant, a queer artist, and his negotiations with the Canadian landscape.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down (virtually) with botanical artist, photographer, and performance artist based in Mohkinstsis/Calgary, Rocio Graham, to talk about her art practice and her latest work. As she joined our zoom-rendezvous, I notice her virtual background of choice is a gorgeous high-resolution picture of her photograph titled When I think of Home #8 one of my favorite pieces by Rocio. I also notice the occasional disembodied hand of her son appearing through the virtual background while we chatted and as he played with the effect, making it spooky and very appropriate for our discussion all things death, rebirth, spirits, and garden funerals.
The Day of the Dead (November 1st) is approaching, and so is the day of the Faithful Departed (November 2nd) two days that are particularly important in several Latin American cultures. Although there are variations in the traditions, one common thread among all the celebrations is that those days are meant to be about remembering, and visiting those we lost... or rather allowing them to visit us.
