Love & Loss: Días de los Muertos 2011

October 12 – December 11, 2011

Celebrated between October 31 and November 2, the Mesoamerican tradition of Días de los Muertos is widely associated with iconic and colorful elements—such as sugar skulls, marigolds, and altars, or ofrendas—arranged or created in honor of deceased loved ones.

The 17th annual Days of the Dead exhibition looks beyond the icons to delve into the heartfelt tales of love and loss that the ofrendas have to tell. Featuring 14 artists and student and community groups with personal stories related to Días de los Muertos, the exhibition pays special attention to the importance of ofrendas and celebrates this ritual as a vehicle for creating intimate sacred spaces and sharing memories.

Featured Artists: Amalia Mesa Bains, Chris Granillo, Xochitl Nevel Guerrero, Roberto Guerrero, Rubén Guzmán Campos, Joaquin Newman, Ernesto Hernández Olmos, Dee Dee Rodriguez, Tessie Scharaga, Consuelo Jiménez Underwood, Andres Cisneros Galindo, Irene Perez, Rafael Jesús González, and Hermina Albarran Romero.

Participating schools and community groups: Peralta Elementary, with lead artists Trena Noval and Ellen Oppenheimer; Laney College, with lead artists Leslee Stradford and Arturo Davila; and Clínica de La Raza and Sutter VNA & Hospice, Emeryville, with lead artist Alicia Diaz.

The exhibition is curated by Patricia Rodríguez, Chicana artist, educator, co-founder of Bay Area art collective Mujeres Muralistas

Love & Loss: Días de los Muertos 2011 is made possible in part by generous support from the Oakland Museum Women’s Board.