ST. GEORGE — Many Southern Utah stores and homes are awash in colorful Day of the Dead decorations. Skulls, skeletons, marigolds and perforated paper banners are all part of the beautiful imagery.
Although the Day of the Dead originated in Mexico some 3,000 years ago, the celebration has caught on worldwide. The holiday known as El Dia de los Muertos in Mexico, honors deceased loved ones. The three-day celebration begins Oct. 31, coinciding with Halloween, and continues through Nov. 2 which includes the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
During these three days, the dead are “awoken” by loved ones and treated to parties, food and activities they enjoyed while they were alive.
Artistic impressions
Attracted by the vibrant colors and unique symbolism, many artists can’t resist reflecting elements of the Day of the Dead in their work, which may be part of what prompts Utah Tech University art professor Dennis Martinez to assign a Day of the Dead project to his fall painting or drawing classes each year.
“Symbolically, color represents life,” Martinez said. “Color is a key ingredient to personify the element of life.”
Offerings, such as decorative sugar skulls made of granulated white sugar, are placed on gravestones or homemade altars, also known as ofrendas. These altars often contain photos of deceased loved ones along with festive offerings such as food, drinks and sometimes even musical instruments for the deceased to enjoy during the celebration. Marigolds play a central part in these decorations, due in large part to their bright colors and distinctive scent.
The assignment for Martinez’s art students was to incorporate these elements into their projects, although he didn’t specify what media should be used. As a result, a wide range of projects were turned in representing everything from photography to painting.
“They had to research imagery,” Martinez said. “They had to come up with ideas and concepts related to the Day of the Dead.”
St. George Art Museum
For the past three years, the St. George Art Museum has invited students from Utah Tech (formally Dixie State University) to participate in its Day of the Dead Exhibit. This year, 16 students were represented in this juried show, with several of them taking home the top prizes. Opening night for the exhibit drew a large crowd, many of whom showed up in Dead of the Dead costumes. In addition to an array of colorful art pieces, exhibit goers were treated to refreshments, Day of the Dead crafting activities for kids, and a Mexican folklore dance performance.
Best in Show winner Ayana Brown took an unusual approach to the assignment for her contemporary painting class at Utah Tech. Rather than painting her assignment on canvas, Brown used temporary tattoos and makeup on her face to illustrate Day of the Dead symbols. This was topped off with a head crown made of roses and marigolds. Brown then had photos taken with her face half submerged in the water at Sand Hollow Reservoir.
“I wanted to bring in vibrant textures with the flower crown and beautiful graphics with the face,” Brown said. “I was inspired by classic Day of the Dead sugar skulls. I wanted to have a variety of swirl patterns and flowers covering my face.”
Brown was awarded a $200 prize for her piece titled, “Beautiful Dead.”
Utah Tech art major Maison McQuivey used a different tactic for her assignment, basing her work on a Virgin of Guadalupe image. Using a combination of painting and crafting, McQuivey’s piece called “Mary of Guadalupe,” took home the first place prize.
“I wanted to include a bit of homeyness,” McQuivey said. “In my painting and display there is a lot of beads, string and crafting supplies.”
The project created by art student Averie McPheters took on a larger-than-life approach. Using a canvas measuring 4-by-4 feet, McPheters used vibrant colors to paint a skeleton playing a guitar serenading a woman with a skull face.
“I wanted to do something with really bright colors, really chromatic right out of the tube,” McPheters said. “I think it’s just remembering loved ones who have passed on and celebrating their lives.”
The Day of the Dead Exhibit at the St. George Art Museum is open for the public to enjoy until Nov. 22. For more information, visit this website.
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