Spirited Arts 2022

Poppy & Agata

Age 12

Baxter College

Dia De Los Muertos – Celebrations

My entry for the competition focuses on the Mexican celebration “Día De Los Muertos”. This is a day for welcoming back deceased family and friends by coming together and celebrating their lives in many ways, such as decorating their graves and having big celebratory feasts and parties. The celebration is a good focus for bringing people together as it is a happy festival which celebrates something people normally find sadness in.

It was originally celebrated in the summer months but got moved to autumn, it is very vibrant and heart-warming celebration where people give offerings to their deceased loved ones such as food and flowers to help them travel peacefully too “Chicunamictlan” (the land of the dead) by doing this for their loved ones their souls can then make their way to “mictlan” where they can finally rest. But remember to put their photo or any of their personal items on the “ofrenda” or the soul will not be able to reunite with the rest of their loved ones.

A big symbol of this day is the sugar skull, vibrantly decorated, often covered with flowers and jewels. It's the most iconic practise that happens during this amazing day, and it is such a positive adaptation. I have chosen to sculpt a sugar skull. Me and my partner love cats and we both unfortunately lost cats before and we think this is a positive way to celebrate rather than to be sad about it. I have chosen to decorate it with red, orange, and yellow because these are very warm colours but vibrant at the same time.

My entry demonstrates a positive from a negative and this is the basis of creating a positive in life which all celebrations should show.