Artists Statements

Exhibition: Día de Muertos: Messages of Love for the Forgotten and Disappeared
October 12-November 9, 2024

Christopher Babb

Memory

A pair of youths pondering the concepts of life and death. One holds the skull, remembering a loved one and the past. One holds blooming flowers, the representation of life and opportunity.

Monica Barrera

Eternal Dreamer

My artwork is dedicated to my grandmother Elba Herrera.  She passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 2015.  While she wasn’t much herself, and didn’t remember many things or who she was, I had a feeling that maybe in the afterlife she would reconnect to her forgotten self.  I hope now she is whole.

Nancy Bateman

Sugar Skull

This fused glass art piece incorporates many of the Day of the Dead traditions: the skull, the flowers, and a remembrance of the love and friendship of two dear friends who died recently. 

 Traditionally, sugar skulls were created as ornamental gifts for children and family members during Día de los Muertos. Unlike Halloween’s ghoulish skulls and skeletons, brightly colored skulls represent the departed souls in the circle of life and bring delight to the eye.

Grady A Bolls

Steel Remembered

Trying to connect the beauty that can be created from the sadness of the lost and forgotten women

Amy Branch-Lambert

I Miss You Every Day

I lost my brother, Kenneth, to the AIDS pandemic. This piece celebrates all of the creativity, hopes, dreams and contributions of those vibrant souls gone too soon. We lost a generation of (mostly) young men in a pandemic fraught with fear, stigma, denial and indifference because of the largely homosexual population originally affected. May we seek to remember the beauty of their lives.

Lori Brennan

I Remember; I Will Not Forget

I have had several important people in my life pass away. They have all affected me deeply and each of their lives and deaths taught me about them, about life, and about myself. They changed me.

Maria H. Brereton

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

After doing some research I felt compelled to bring this topic forward. 

There were as many as 5,712 missing and murdered women in New Mexico and Canada in 2016.  Authorities were overwhelmed and there was widespread silence.  Less than 200 were logged by the U.S. government in their database.

(214) 543-4068

Melody Caban

Gilded

My practice explores the intersections of culture, identity, and understanding through the lens of art history. I employ traditional media like gouache, charcoal, and gold leaf in contemporary ways to challenge conventional representations and evoke deeper connections. By juxtaposing historical imagery with personal narratives, I aim to spark conversations about our shared humanity and the complexities of cultural identity. My work seeks to bridge the past and present, inviting viewers to contemplate the enduring power of art to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world.

Vanessa Carrera

Por Las Que Ya No Están

My artwork relates to the show’s theme by naming only a few of the many disappeared women from Puebla, Mexico due to femicides. So far in 2024, a total of 28 women have been murdered in Puebla and their deaths have all the characteristics to be considered femicides, which are a violent death for reasons of gender. They sometimes are not even found at all and they become an extra name in the long list of femicides in Mexico. My artwork remembers forgotten women.

Tatiana Contreras

Papi Chuy

This artwork honors my deceased grandfather that went by Papi Chuy. As he had only passed away a few years ago, I wanted to give his memorial photo a new and authentic feel. I captured the joy he had before he passed and the happiness that seemed to follow him around to go with the theme of celebrating our loved ones rather than provide a somber feeling, typically associated with death. I used bright colors all throughout this piece to signify the brightness and festivities of Dia De Los Muertos along with many shapes and designs you see everywhere during the holiday. Papi Chuy, and my now deceased grandmother, were one of the first ones in my family to cross the border from Mexico into the United States and I feel it was only appropriate to honor him in the theme of Dia De Los Muertos.

Carter Cordes

Pink Collar

My artwork aligns with the show’s theme of celebrating forgotten or disappeared souls by highlighting the often-overlooked experiences of women who defied societal norms. In this piece, I used washes of color over black-and-white collage-like compositions to explore the lives of individual women, including my grandmother, who worked in manual labor and faced significant challenges. Despite being marginalized, she was deeply involved in activism, even running for lieutenant governor of Texas in 1978 with the Socialist Workers Party.

I also incorporated historical figures like Harriet Haberman, who left her office job to work in a supercharger plant during WWII, and Juanita Jewel Craft, a key figure in the Texas civil rights movement. Like my grandmother, these women have stories that deserve recognition but are often forgotten. The technicolor-inspired use of color in my piece serves as a design element to draw attention to these powerful yet underrepresented narratives, ensuring that their contributions are not erased from history.

cartercordesart@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carterrart/

Website: https://www.cartercordesart.com/

Charles Cox

Unc

I love culture. Through art I capture the spirit of the times, the people, the idea and imagination in multiple dimensions.

Charlescoxkct@hotmail.com

(817) 217-1512

Instagram: Chalie Spectacular

Hermila Cuevas

Entre La Vida y La Muerte (Between Life and Death)

Hermila Cuevas, an emerging artist pursuing her MFA in Studio Art at Texas A&M University-Commerce, draws deeply from her Mexican heritage while embracing modern artistic approaches. Working across mediums such as ceramics, digital art, painting, and sculpture, her art skillfully fuses ancient traditions with contemporary elements. Cuevas uses this fusion to explore her ancestral roots, inviting viewers to experience a harmonious blend of history and modernity. Her work goes beyond aesthetics, delving into themes of identity, memory, and the richness of cultural inheritance, providing an opportunity for viewers to reflect on their own cultural connections.

One of Cuevas’ most significant works, Entre La Vida y La Muerte (“In Between Life and Death”), pays homage to Día de los Muertos, a celebration of life and death in Mexican culture. The piece captures the eternal cycle of life and death through the figure of an indigenous woman, representing Cuevas’ indigenous roots. Although she was unable to meet her ancestors and learn directly from them, this work serves as both a tribute and an effort to reclaim lost cultural knowledge. Vibrant colors embody the emotions tied to the celebration of life and the remembrance of loved ones who have passed, emphasizing that life and death are intricately intertwined. Cuevas’ work as a whole bridges past and present, inviting viewers to explore deeper themes of cultural reconnection and personal reflection.

cuevashermila@gmail.com

(692) 221-6665

Diana Veronica De La Paz and Harrison DeMoss

El Inmigrante

My ceramic sugar skull relates to the theme of celebrating forgotten souls by paying homage to the lives and deaths of migrants who crossed the Sonoran desert. Most migrants who die while crossing the desert are never found. The cause of death is usually the harsh environment. Typical natural elements found in the desert such as the saguaro, the Mexican poppy, and the western diamondback rattlesnake, adorn the skull with joyful colors. These animals and plants are often the last things these migrants see before they die in the desert. The barbed wire across the mandible of the skull represents the oppression migrants endure by not having a safe, reliable, and legal path to cross the border. The glass tejana hat on top of the skull is a symbol of Mexican pride and resilience shared by immigrants. Overall the piece is an offering to the innocent spirits who died chasing the American dream.

Jenny Hong DeLaughter

Last Message

This painting portrays the spirit of my mother shown at her final stage of life in 2023.

Having never fully believed or experienced anything beyond the material world, I was deeply moved by two appearances of her face in those last moments.  One looked brightly joyful and smiling, and the other a peaceful sleep.  I was standing by her bed, and the spirit appeared right at eye level a foot from my face.  Her spirit must have recognized my effort to utter the first letter of “Mom” and in the blink of an eye it disappeared.  I was lost again.

As depicted in the painting, her face looked lively in gold similar to wearing a golden mask.  The background was filled with surreal and yellow luminescent light.

jenny.redbell@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennydelaughter

Jesus Delgado

Sing It With Me

My uncle was involved with Rondallas and Mariachi Band. He would always sing songs and play his guitar at family events. He was always wanting people to sing with him as he played and sung songs.

Dan Dudley

Don’t go Yet!

Bill and Oscar where both my creative partners, as well as dear friends.

In our long relationship I often drew them as Cartoon characters.

It’s left to me to remember there creative minds and generous heart.

I miss the laughs very much.

Brayden Efseroff

Cultivadores y Químicos

I see creative work primarily as a means of connecting with others. I am drawn to a visual language of harmony and simplicity, balancing precision against organic freedom. I aspire toward vulnerability in my work, following aesthetic interest wherever it wants to take me.

My submission to this exhibition, Cultivadores y Quimicos, celebrates the contributions of pre-colonial Native Mesoamericans to culinary culture. The three panels highlight cacao, the chili pepper, and the nixtamalization process, all of which have become part of global cuisine since their discoveries. Each panel includes a diagram of an important chemical in that food product – capsaicin, theobromine, and folic acid.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/befseroff

Shannon Fernandez

Fading Into Light

I am an abstract artist with a desire to create paintings that explore the dynamic interplay of color, texture, and form. My process is deeply intuitive, allowing me to experiment with bold neon hues and intricate patterns that layer and interact on the canvas, creating a sense of movement and energy.

Though the souls of the missing in this painting may appear to be fading away, dissolving into the wind and disappearing into nothingness, the truth is quite the opposite. The candles at the bottom have been lit for them, serving as beacons of remembrance. Through this act of memorial, these souls are brought back into being, surrounded by a warm and gentle glow of love and recognition. This glow is meant solely for them—those who never returned home.

shan.fern.art@gmail.com

(972) 510-4648

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shan.fern.art

Website: Https://beekinddesignstudio.com

Jacque Forsher and Jaime Gibson

Save Me a Seat at the Table

After a lifelong friend passed in a tragic accident earlier this year, I was the one who felt lost. Since her passing, I have contemplated mortality more than usual. As a result, this year’s theme towards the lost and forgotten worked in an opposite direction for me. I invited my daughter on the creative journey of collaborating on an altar idea, which added an element of  joy to the process of grieving I’ve been experiencing. The theme had me thinking of those who have lost their lives in tragic events such as war, school shootings, and natural disastors; of miscarried and stillborn babies who only knew life briefly through a mother’s heartbeat; of my ancestors, rooted so deep beneath my family tree that I will never know their names. I have thought of those who’ve had loved ones disappear without a trace, and distressed how they manage to move foward through the overwhelming emotions of not knowing. All of this led me to consider an opposing perspective. Instead of those who have passed on being the ones who are lost, perhaps it is those who are still wandering through the valley of grief who are truly lost. 

There is a latin saying, Ad Astra Per Aspera, meaning ‘to the stars through difficulty.’ If we can continue to tell the stories of those who have gone to the stars before us, if we can speak their names, maybe it is through these heartfelt remembrances we can continue to save them a seat at the table of life. To hold a place setting in our hearts so they are never truly forgotten, and to take a seat next to them so we are not so lost without them.

Maria Belen Gonzalez

Velas por las Perdidas

and

No perdemos esperanza

These two pieces work are about raising awareness as human beings to never lose compassion for one another. There are families of missing loved ones and as a society we need to help! This work is for them.

Velas Para las Perdidas

No hay descanso para la injusticia.

¿Quién habla por las perdidas?

Ni perdon, Ni olvido.

There is no rest for injustice. 

Who speaks for the lost?

Neither forgiving nor forgetting.

m.belen1107@yahoo.com

No Perdemos Esperanza

Parece ser nada mas otro nombre, pero para alguien es su hija, su hermana, su ser querida. 

Parece ser un vandalismo, pero para alguien su desesperación por encontrar respuestas.

Parece ser una incomodidad, pero para alguien un alma perdida.

Pero No Perdemos Esperanza.

It appears to be just another name, but for some it symbolizes their daughter or sister, or a loved one.  Perhaps it can be perceived as vandalism, but it is also the dispair of those who are looking for answers.

It could be an inconvenience for some, but for others it is a missing soul.

m.belen1107@yahoo.com

Robert Hamilton

On This Shelf, Glue Your Memories Here

I work in the museum design field and find myself often being a part of methods to display artifacts. Some artifacts have little significance, some have lots; some small, some large. Of course, they’re just objects in space until we assign meaning to them. I wanted to create a unique background to someone’s personal artifacts and give these pieces a colorful, and lively environment, like their loved one did in days past. In a way, the owner of this piece will be just as much the ‘artist’ as I am. We will have worked together to remember someone.

Juan J. Hernandez

Ayotzi 43- Ni Perdon, Ni Olvido

In the style of a Dia de los Muertos Calavera, my piece recalls the disappearance of 43 male student teachers from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers College in Mexico. On September 26, 2014, the 43 male student teachers disappeared after they were forcibly abducted in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. The students were en route to join a demonstration to commemorate the 1968 Tlatelolco Massacre in Mexico City. They were allegedly taken into custody by local police from Iguala in collusion with organized crime and the Mexican Army. Only the remains of three have been identified.

In October of 2023, I was visiting Oaxaca, and I was moved by the numerous graffiti I encountered that still spoke of the 43. Those images stayed with me and inspired my painting.

Jesse Hernandez

Always with you

This work is a narrative piece for day of the dead. It’s of a mother who passed away visiting her living daughter to give her a present being the crown. I wanted to be a happy bittersweet tone to the piece so that is why I wanted to use vibrant colors for this painting.

Sara Hernandez-Harness

El Puente de la Luz

This work describes our connection with the ancestor world through time-honored traditions, such as preparing marigold garlands for the ofrendas of our relatives. Marigolds, or cempasuchil, have a legendary purpose; they are believed to be a gift from the sun god Tonatiuh given to the pre-Hispanic Nahua peoples to honor their dead. Resembling small handfuls of sunlight, these flowers are used to help light the paths of the dead as they make their ways back to the land of the living.

Josh Hickman

El Partido de los Olvidados

My piece depicts a party for lost souls, including my father, Bill Hickman (1936-2017) and my recently deceased mother, Maureen Hickman (1935-2024), whom we lost earlier this year.

Naïma Hill

Lost My Sunshine

My almost two year old daughter Aveline “Avy” and our family dog, Kemosabe were killed in a car crash on May 17, 2023. After their death I started to draw art with either her name Avy, or likeness, hidden or emblazoned in each design. I had the idea to make them into stickers so her sunshine soul would be seen, remembered, and celebrated everywhere.  As everyone moves on with their lives, every breath I take is broken with my Avy. To all the living mommas and parents who have lost their soul children, I see you, I am you, I feel you, I honor you, and I will never forget your children or your suffering.

This piece is all of the “Avy” sticker designs to date formed into a tree of life or soul flower. Each sticker has its own deeper meaning – for example the blue jay was actually designed for another mother of loss yet, the song lyrics around the jay are changed lyrics to a popular song that I sang to my baby. The stickers celebrate the sunshine light Avy was and the community we are growing at Avy’s Sunshine Tribe to live on and spread her soul essence.

To follow and support our journey to build a needed playground/park in her honor in the Cedars, Dallas please visit AvysSunshineTribe.com

AvysSunshineTribe@gmail.com

Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/AvysSunshineTribe

Website: http://wwwAvysSunshineTribe.com

Sherry Houpt

Flowers for the Forgotten

Flowers for the Forgotten is a tribute to the refugees and immigrants who flee their homes to escape drought, poverty, abusive governments or drug cartels. Many are children or youth who “disappear”. Sometimes an entire family is lost to drowning or other tragic circumstances. My painting recognizes the value of their lives, however brief. The poet, William Wordsworth (1770-1850) wrote these lines which resonate with me:

      “…Not in entire forgetfulness

          And not in utter nakedness

          But trailing clouds of glory do we come

          From God, who is our home.”

sherryhoupt@gmail.com

(214) 587-4751

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sherry Houpt,Artist

Instagram: https://instagram.com/@sherryhoupt

Website: HTTPS://www.sherryhoupt.com

Duane Johnson

Missing

This artwork depicts a Day of the Dead skeleton drinking milk from a carton featuring a missing person’s photo. In this twist on the traditional holiday, the skeleton honors not only the deceased but also those who are still missing, keeping their memory alive and symbolizing the hope for their return. The carton serves as a reminder of the missing, blending themes of remembrance, life, and unresolved absence in a poignant way.

Joanna La Grone-Headrick

Almost Forgotten

Lizzie, as she was known, was many things in her life… a wife, a mother, a sister, and also a dear friend to my grandparents and their family, until her death, in 1944. 

She and her husband had 3 children, but tragically, they all died in early childhood. Francis, their 3rd and final child, and the one featured in this portrait, died in 1903 at the age of 5. I was told he fell off of a roof. In 1914, Lizzie’s husband also died, leaving her with just one living relative, her much younger sister, Josephine.

Jo was also widowed early on, and never had children, so the sisters moved in together afterwards and they lived together until Lizzie’s death, 30 years later. 

When Lizzie died, her belongings went to her sister Jo. When Jo died, both her AND Lizzie’s belongings were passed on to my mother, including this portrait. I grew up with it hanging on the wall, with our other family photos. Though I never knew her or Francis, they were always just included as “ours.”

Now, 20 years after my own mother’s death, I’m just about the last one left to remember them. I’m also reminded that eventually, most ALL of us will eventually also be forgotten. By memorializing Miss Lizzie and little Francis in this piece, I hope they are remembered for just a little bit longer.

(469) 583-1254

Braulio Lazon-Conde

Beyond Borders

Through “Beyond Borders,” I seek to illuminate the obscured narratives of migrant children, displaced by violence and erased by indifference. This woodcut print serves as a testament to their resilience and an indictment of the systems that fail them. By carving into the wood, I reclaim the narratives of those deemed invisible, giving voice to the silenced and visibility to the forgotten. The bold lines and stark contrasts evoke the harsh realities and the unyielding hope of those who dare to cross.

My artwork is a declaration of solidarity with the displaced, the migrant, and the marginalized. I aim to humanize the dehumanized, amplifying the stories that have been reduced to statistics and headlines. “Beyond Borders” is a reminder that every border crossing is a human story, every migrant a life worthy of dignity, and every child a dream deserving of protection. Through this piece, I invite viewers to confront the policies that divide, the economies that exploit, and the borders that kill, and to join me in imagining a world where every life is valued and every future is bright.

blazonconde@gmail.com

Instagram: @baru_lab

J. Salvador Lopez

Revolutions

During a group show in early 2018, for The Serie Prints show in Austin, I was approached by members of La Peña Gallery (Austin) to exhibit my work for Dia De Los Muertos/Day of The Dead. I had not publicly shown any new skulls since the early 2000s. An interesting challenge for myself to approach an old idea with a new stylized translation realized.

The first skull painting is minimal in composition and only has three bright colors, without any geometric shapes. This began a new direction for my skulls. I needed a niche for the titles, a word or group words to be repeatedly used for each painting I narrowed it down to a single word which would be added to every title, “LOVE.” The addition of Love became a unique hallmark to anchor the skulls together. The first skull is named “Radar Love” not certain where its title surfaced from, an old song or just by looking at my painting alone. The skulls transformed into affectionate memories of the human condition, meaning of our own longevity, with usage of a simple additional word to each title: “LOVE!” In 2022 I incorporated power-plants, feather(s) and human figures.

Jorge Martinez

Todos Son Bienvenidos

Jorge Martinez is a commercial photographer and photographic artist from Dallas. Carolina Imperial is a singer/songwriter and musical artist from Fort Worth. They are both well-versed in their crafts and share a strong love for their Mexican culture and traditions.

Collaborating with Carolina, who depicts La Catrina, was inspirational in developing the concept for the image. Her input on how to stand, how to hold the candles, and her stylistic expression helped Jorge create this 30×30 metal print titled Todos Son Bienvenidos. All Are Welcome.

The image is printed on a high-quality aluminum sheet, which shows La Catrina emerging from the dark, vintage, flocked wallpaper-covered wall, leading lost and forgotten souls to homes of families that welcome them. Todos Son Bienvenidos a nuestra casa. All Are Welcome to our home.

Cyndi McDonnell

Sisters, Do Not Forget Me

My installation honors missing and murdered indigenous women, so many from our own southwest region.  The painting shows women disappearing into the landscape, a young girl plays with a hoop, the circle of life. The display illustrates with empty vessels, life wasted by being cut short, possibilities and dreams not recognized. Katrina de Milo the beauty , strength and signifigance of all women, even when broken and defiled. The Navaho weaving signifies a return to balance and wholeness when all will walk in beauty again.

Sonia Medina

Posibilidades Perdidas

Posibilidades Perdidas reflects the deep pain and enduring hope of families who have lost loved ones to forced disappearances, particularly those represented by COFADEH (Comité de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos en Honduras). By including objects, illustrations, and dried flowers I emulate loved things from my grandmothers and a friend who passed too soon. The altar symbolizes their personal stories and the countless lives left incomplete by violence and injustice. The artwork captures the sorrow of unfulfilled destinies while celebrating the strength of memory, love, and connection that transcend physical absence.

 Through vibrant, traditional elements of Día de Muertos, my altar balances the solemn acknowledgment of these forgotten souls with the joyful remembrance they deserve, inviting their spirits to be honored and celebrated, ensuring they are never forgotten.

Michael Minks

You Gave Me Wings

“You Gave Me Wings” commemorates, honors and celebrates the departed souls of our parents, Joe and Rosalee Minks.  The joyful creation is a message of love and thankfulness for my parents’ unending encouragement and support towards me and my five brothers while growing up.  Our parents were always there to “lift us up” like wings and “we all flew” and grew into happy, independent adults with families of our own.  Having grown up on a farm some fifty miles south of Houston, we boys were always outside in the pastures, fields, nearby forests, lakes or rivers.  We became knowledgeable with the names of birds and enjoyed the gracefulness and beauty of the seasonal butterflies.  

Presently at our east Dallas home, my wife Cheri and I have suet and seed feeders and several birdbaths; consequently we frequently come across many random found feathers, particularly cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers and dove.  It struck me then to somehow use the bird feathers and butterfly wings into my mini-altar as a tribute to our departed parents.  The altar/ofrenda also exhibits four elements of Nature: Earth (soil in glass jigger), Water (also in a jigger), Wind (bird and butterfly wings), and Fire (skull candles). Hard candies, pennies and wooden toys are there as offerings for the departed ones; and the marigolds’ fragrant scent attracts the souls of the dead.  Butterflies are believed to hold the spirit of the departed. 

Traditional bright colors add to the festive display of “You Gave Me Wings”.  “Feliz dia de muertos”  (Happy Day of the Dead!).

cmminks@sbcglobal.net

(469) 585-2181

Sarah Mixon

Candles

As a water media painter, I have been exploring recently in my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, how to translate my work from a 2D space into the 3D. I really enjoyed the process of making these candles, and installing them to create an abstracted version of an altar. I thought about the idea of an “on the go” altar space, as well as the significance behind candles lighting the way reminding us that our loved ones will live on. I enjoy working with color so I was very intentional researching color meanings within this theme, primarily choosing black and pink to read as a celebration of life. My grandma, who I am honoring with this piece, was very creative as well, and she enjoyed sewing. I added yarn and thread details to incorporate her favorite hobby.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.trveart

BAM / Beverly Ann Moore

Recordar Y Olvidado / Remembered And Forgotten

This art is dedicated to Terri Stone and was inspired in part by the song,In My Life written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The lyrics (below) seem to convey the show’s theme beautifully. The purple and blue highlights on the body and eyes represent Terri . She made an impact on so many individuals and is dearly missed.

 There are places I remember

 All my life, though some have changed

 Some forever, not for better

 Some have gone and some remain

 All these places had their moments

 With lovers and friends, I still can recall

 Some are dead and some are living

 In my life, I’ve loved them all

 But of all these friends and lovers

 There is no one compares with you

 And these memories lose their meaning

 When I think of love as something new

 Though I know I’ll never lose affection

 For people and things that went before

 I know I’ll often stop and think about them

 In my life, I love you more

Gigi Morales

Amores que no se Olvidan…Lucrecia Y Pedro

Born in Monterrey, Mexico, and now living in San Antonio, Texas, I weave together my cultural heritage and my family’s history through symbolic imagery. This painting is a homage to my parents, a reflection of the love and connection that transcends their physical presence.  The coffee plants pay tribute to my father, who dedicated much of his life to the coffee industry in Mexico, while the keys represent my siblings and me, the rosebuds my nieces and nephews, each a unique part of our family’s story.  My mother’s love for her garden is captured in the vibrant flora, each a symbol of the nurturing spirit she carried throughout her life. The hummingbird and cardinal, powerful symbols in our culture, remind us that our loved ones return to visit us, even after they have passed on.

As an artist my practice spans abstract expressionism and realistic painting, exploring the balance between the imagined and the tangible I aim to evoke emotion and challenge perceptions, whether it’s through the raw energy of abstraction or the meticulous detail of realism. 

(956) 432-2282

Instagram: Www.instagram.com/gigisartstudio

Gloria Munson

The Mysterious  Disappearance of Taco Flight

As a child in the 60s and  70s,  I still have vivid memories of the Vietnam War.  Everyday, the newspapers  bursted with news of the missing, deceased  and battles fought. I remember screaming protesters throwing rotten vegetables at my fifth grade school bus. They hated us because we were the children of parents who either worked in the defense industry or served in  the military.  In 1970,  four students were  killed at Kent State during a peaceful protest. It was difficult to know which side to be on.  When I was 15 or 16,  I bought a POW/MIA bracelet with the name  Lt. Col. Bobby  Neeld. The woman I bought from was a relative of the pilot, but I didn’t know either of them.  I wore the  bracelet  until  it broke  years  later.  In  2008,  I rode my bicycle alone through South Asia because this land that I had never seen was a part of my growing up years. I took the photo I used as a reference for this painting in North Vietnam. The empty bicycle cabs represent the Planes Taco 81 and 82. In making this painting, thanks to Google, I was able to learn more about Bobby Neeld. I also discovered others who wore his bracelet.  The U.S. does not know if he died in the jungle or drowned in the China Sea. The remains are listed as unrecoverable.  Surrounding the cabs were signs that still protested the “American War” as the Vietnamese call it.  They are a reminder that war has more than one side and all sides mourn the dead and the missing.  Nearly 1600 Americans remain missing from the Vietnam War, most are military, some are civilians.

koipainter@yahoo.com

(214) 417-7110

Website: https://www.gloriamunson.com

Cristela Nash

Mi Preciosa Herida

My abuelas enjoyed flowers and colors. This sugar skull is meant to be full of joy and hope, just like them. Even when their absence hurts, I still remember them with joy.

Crystal Nelson

Forget Me Not

Trans deaths due to violence are often not investigated a thoroughly and if their families have distanced themselves from the trans individual then they can become forgotten. The bodiless legs represent the forgotten and the beads represent their precious lives. The map in the background shows that this is a global issue. The artwork is meant to be an alter in their memory.

Jerri Quiroz

La Catrina Divina

Jerri Quiroz is a ceramic artist born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Her work conveys complex familial narratives and cultural mythologies through sculptural ceramics, but even more, celebrates culture and the sacredness of family.

The thought of forgetting the intimate moments we once shared together – the gentle touch of her hand in mine, the soothing sound of her voice that could calm my anxious heart – fills me with an overwhelming sense of fear. Those small brief interactions that once brought me comfort and joy, I desperately cling to terrified that they may one day vanish entirely from my mind. Yet, even as time poses a threat, the relentless love I feel for my mother serves as a beacon, guiding me through the various challenges and triumphs of life. Her spirit, her wisdom, her unconditional support – these invaluable gifts continue to nurture me, even as the distance between us grows. While our physical connection may disappear, the unbreakable bond we share in our hearts transcends that of the material world, standing as a testament to the lasting strength of a mother’s love. It is this understanding that brings me peace, reminding me that the spirit of our relationship will forever live on.

jerris.calaveritas@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerris.calaveritas/profilecard/?igsh=aDVlcnh2a3U4Nmtk

Websiste: https://jerriscalaveritas.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabD5QuTFr4QygoOKov-PanbeDHccGb9FkdennR0dOugxgZePw41Z_Z8ndw_aem_nvR_x2C0E1buRogUJ402vg

Joshua Salinas

Spirit in Bloom

This artwork connects with the souls of the dead because even when they’re deceased we still have a connection with memories with the ones we lost.

Daniela Segovia

Hierve El Agua

Gone but never forgotten, my grandmother passed away before I was able to meet her in Guanajuato, Mexico. Though I was unable to meet her I’ve heard about how my grandfather so adored her, he would walk her up and down the street caressing her hand and cherishing her. I have a feeling no matter how old we grow that child like longing never leaves us, so for that reason I depicted her in traditional attire. Before the COVID pandemic I was in Oaxaca, Mexico visiting the gaudily adorned churches, the breathtaking natural terrains, and experiencing the yearly celebrated Guelaguetza. Its a celebration where the indigenous populations celebrate their different traditional dances, art and music in the City of Oaxaca. Going from the beautiful moments I had there to instant lockdown was unforeseen, loosing so many family members, friends, and privilege’s really made me realize what was truly important. People, celebrating life and our common love for each other. In this work I repurposed a cabinet from a deceased family member, it was previously used to display delicate trinkets and memorable items. Atop is written ‘Un Lugar Donde Hierve El Agua’ translated ‘A Place Where The Water Boils’. This work is an exploration on combining portraiture, and an homage to the great artists & artisans that make Mexico so extraordinary.

Raul Servin

My grandmother and her sister-in-law at the Teloloapan cemetery

This was my first memory of Dia de los Muertos when I was 4 years old.

Hoang Sourygnavong

Bailando en Este Momento

Hello! I’m Hoang, a passionate Fine Arts student at the University of Texas at Arlington, on a creative journey to explore new ideas and inspire others through my art.

Since childhood, my deep love for anime has significantly influenced my work and artistic style. As I develop my skills in Fine Arts, I aim to blend traditional techniques with contemporary themes, creating a unique fusion that speaks to my developmental journey as an artist.

While I primarily work in digital media, I also enjoy traditional drawing, which allows me to explore different textures and forms. Currently, I’m experimenting with my style to find a distinct voice that resonates with both myself and my audience. My goal is to capture special moments with the characters and people I depict, forging connections between viewers and the emotions embedded in my art.

Through my work, I hope to evoke nostalgia and a sense of belonging, inviting others to reflect on their own experiences and relationships. I believe that art has the power to bridge gaps and create understanding, and I am excited to share it with all of you.

crystallicdawnbusiness@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystallicdawn/

Website: https://crystallicdawn.carrd.co/

William Toliver

Angel

Death. I save you for last.  Isn’t that so fitting?  It’s hard to embrace you when all I want to do is runaway from you. Your embrace is so warm.  It helps me remember what ive losted.  Not to be sad but to realize the joy in all phases of life.

Christine Unruh

Eres Amado;  You are Loved

The theme of this show is particularly troubling and dark, and elicits so many emotions.  Attempting to put myself in the shoes of the innocent girls and women who were caught in the crossfire of hatred and cruelty not of their own making and with no recourse – simple boggles the mind.  

 Today’s political landscapes in Mexico and America are darkening, with freedoms and rights for females threatened at every turn.  I can see myself caught up in that landscape; and fear what might be.  For those whose lives are lost forever, I see my work as a shrine to their families and loved ones. And finally, as a memorial to my recently departed mother, Lela Unruh… whose life I was close to for so many years.

Trai Valentine

Nina

Grammy, is the name I knew her as, she was born as Nina Mae Smith in the year of 1919 in Casper, Wyoming. Her face like a transparent image in solid spaces of my memory. I was too small to remember her voice when she fell ill and was no longer able to speak, eat, or walk.

 As I have grown older, I have longed to know her. I have asked so many questions about her life to know more about her, and have discovered so many similarities in the way we both have found joy in this life – swing dancing, camping, mountains, birds, flowers.

 Her love lives well beyond her body has. She taught a noble truth which was passed down to me through my mother. ‘The only difference between people is the color of their skin. Everyone bleeds the same, and loves the same – this is the only difference. Never forget.’

 This, is Nina Mae. And though she has disappeared from this plane, she will never be forgotten in my heart.

Jose Vargas

Veterans Community Ofrenda

Dia de Muertos is one of my favorite art exhibitions of the year. Held annually, I look forward to it with hopes and anticipation of participating. This year I decided to work on a display that would honor Veterans that are no longer with us.

I found an American flag at a secondhand store a few months ago. It caught my eye, and I decided to take it home to contemplate what creative direction to take with it. The flag was tattered and in need of repair. I felt that it needed a second chance, to be used in an artistic fashion. After much thought, I came up with the idea to invite and encourage the Community to participate in this endeavor to Honor our Veterans.

I am a Veteran.  I was drafted into the Army in 1969, at the age of nineteen years old. It was during the Vietnam War era. It was a good experience for me. I have lost several friends and relatives that were in the Military. I have a few stories to tell. But I will save that for another time. 

I wish to thank the staff at the Bath House Cultural Center for hosting this awesome art exhibition, and to the Community for your support of this Heartfelt Ofrenda.

jvargas898@earthlink.net

Emily Villarma

Revisiting

“Revisiting” the memory of loved ones means the loved ones visit you back. This piece honors the memories of my Aunt Julie Mathis, Grandpa Enrique Villarma, Uncle Gary Villarma, and Nicole Katya Souverbielle, a poet and friend. 

Repurposing cardboard packaging into a work of art mirrors the cycle of reincarnation. Cardboard, as a non-archival medium, also symbolizes the fragility and impermanence of life. 

The text of the painting shares some of the artist’s family history through a cultural similarity between Mesoamerican and Filipino belief in ancestors returning as insects from the lepidoptera family, ie butterflies and moths.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyvillarma.mov

Tamara Villarma

Hearts and Souls

The central figure is imprinted with the names of family and friends to be remembered, as well as the words “lost souls” and “we will remember”. 

 The glaze obscures the words to represent that the mark those loved ones have left on us remains even when it can’t be seen. 

 The hearts surrounding the figure represent those souls that have been lost but not forgotten.

Keith Williams

forgotten marigolds

This image depicts a young woman not remembered, she is deceased. She probably had a family that loved her. They don’t know where she is. The Marigold flowers encase her to guide her back. Not to be lost any more. Remembered and Loved.

Maggie Wolters

Luna Negra

My piece reflects my love and respect for my father and my favorite holiday. I love día de muertos. I love Arte Popular and its amazing colors, culture and heritage that brings back memories. My altar is in honor of my father Crescencio Garcia. He passed away 12 years ago. He was originally from Oaxaca, he loved food, music, arte popular and Artesanias.

sugarskullsbymaggiedfw@gmail.com

Instagram: @sugarskullsbymaggiedfw 

Wendy Woodring

Honoring Your Memory

Visiting cemeteries makes us not only remember the loved one who has passed away but also celebrate the soul that was. To celebrate is to not forget.