40TH ANNUAL DIA DE LOS MUERTOSEXHIBITION CATALOG

In 1973, artists working with Self Help Graphics & Art founder, Sister Karen Boccalero, and the community of East Los Angeles, brought Los Angeles its first public celebration of Día de los Muertos. In doing so, Self Help Graphics & Art became a repository for cultural knowledge of this spiritual practice, which has inspired scholars, poets and writers. Today, Self Help Graphics celebrates its 40th Annual Dia de los Muertos celebration at a time when this beloved holiday is experiencing its own crossroads. Mainstream culture has accepted our celebration and culture into the mainstream but has stripped it of its meaningful and sacred aspect, reducing it to an aesthetic now used by corporations seeking to gain access to “Hispanic” markets, companies creating mass-produced products and for simple party decor. Raiz y Rama: On the Crossroads to Mictlan delves deeper into the colorful folklore that communicated the core values of Día de los Muertos as a spiritual practice that is rooted in the tradition of our pre-Columbian ancestors. The art presented in this exhibition branches off of traditions that span thousands of years back, while using processes and imagery that will prove relevant and meaningful to present for future generations. The Mexica ideal of the Toltécatl--the artist, as an individual who is capable of having a sincere “dialogue with one’s heart, one who meets things with their mind”--is present in the artworks, literary pieces, and scholarly works in this exhibition and places before us a visual ofrenda of their visions of Day of the Dead.

– Daniel González

Curated by Daniel Gonzalez

November 2, 2013-DECEMBER 1, 2013Artist Reception: Thursday, November 14, 2013 | 7 PM - 9 PM

ArtistsPavel Acevedo • Beatrice Coron • Danza Chicomecoatl

Ofelia Esparza • Daniel Gonzalez • Jennifer Gutierrez MorganInstituo de Grafica de Chicago • Omar Lopez • Rebeca Mendez

Stephanie Mercado • Victor Solis • Arturo Romo-SantillanoReyes Rodriguez • Xolo Collective

Tzompatli ArtistsMartha Carrillo • Daniel Cuellar • Victoria Delgadillo

Daniel Gonzalez • Flor Quinto • Dewey Tafoya • Nancy Zamora

Pavel AcevedoMictecacihuatlMixed Media50” x 40”$1,300

Béatrice CoronWeb of TimeCut Tyvek32” x 18”$210

Ricardo EstradaCenaAcrylic5’ x 3’$1,500

Béatrice CoronPost Modem MortemLasercut Cotton Paper45” x 45”$3,000

Rebeca MendezYO’K’IB’Archival Inkjet Print, Acrylic24” x 16”$5,000

Daniel GonzalezArte es VidaLimited Edition Fine Art Serigraph24 1/4” x 35”$800$1050 Framed

Stephanie MercadoUntitled 2013Ink and Dry Powder Pigment on Board14 3/4” x 20 3/4”$500

Stephanie MercadoUntitledOil Paint and Powder on Canvas36” x 36”$3500

Arturo Romo-SantillanoSerene Five Years FAce (Toppler, Churner, Shiverer, Faller)Drywall, Tempera, Acrylic, Wood77” x 48”$1,500

Reyes RodriguezElquintonivelGraphite on Paper34” x 52”$3,800

Álvaro Daniel MárquezUnititledLinocut12” x 18”$200

Álvaro Daniel MárquezImminent ThreatLinocut12” x 18”$200

Álvaro Daniel MárquezDrone Pilot Command CenterLinocut12” x 18”$200

Victor RosasLa Muerte AmbiciosaLinocut11” x 14”$150

Victor RosasTVLinocut11” x 14”$150

Victor RosasCanibalesLinocut11” x 14”$150

John TallacksenFood Cycle Triptych #1Linocut17” x 13”$200

John TallacksenFood Cycle Triptych #2Linocut17” x 13”$200

John TallacksenFood Cycle Triptych #3Linocut17” x 13”$200

Xolo Collective (Clockwise: Álvaro Daniel Márquez, John Tallacksen, William Acedo, Victor Rosas)Siguendo Los Pasos de PosadaLinocut Assemblage27” x 39”$3,500

Daniel CuellarShipmateMixed Media, Paper Mache6” x 10” x 10”$50

Martha CarrilloTitleMixed Media, Paper Mache6” x 10” x 10”SOLD

Victoria DelgadilloDesaparecidaDuct Tape, Card Board6” x 10” x 10”NFS

Flor QuintoTitleMixed Media, Paper Mache6” x 10” x 10”$00

Dewey TafoyaNarco dreamsMixed Media, Paper Mache6” x 10” x 10”$50

Daniel GonzalezTzompaxochitlMixed Media, Paper Mache6” x 10” x 10”$150

Nancy ZamoraDeath Should be Viewed With HappinessMixed Media, Paper Mache6” x 10” x 10”$50