Featuring

Nao Bustamante

Barbara Carrasco

Carolyn Castaño

Enrique Castrejon

Yreina Cervantez

Audrey Chan

Christina Fernandez

Consuelo Flores

Sandra de La Loza

Isabelle Lutterodt

Rigo Maldonado

Guadalupe Rodriguez

Sandy Rodriguez

Shizu Saldamando

Gabriella Sanchez

Devon Tsuno

Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights

Curatorial Statement by Sandy Rodriguez

How do we come together to celebrate our ancestors and loved ones during a global pandemic? How do we create space for community when social distancing is critical amid rising infection numbers and deaths across our county and country? 

I am honored to have been invited to guest curate the Dia de los Muertos exhibition with Self Help Graphics for the 47th annual celebration in Los Angeles. We are thrilled to bring together this visionary group of Los Angeles artists spanning generations, perspectives, disciplines, and connections to one of the most important cultural arts organizations in the United States. Collectively, we will be creating ofrendas for our ancestors and loved ones to be reunited during these holiest of days to find strength and push forward in this heartbreaking year amidst a global pandemic ravaging our communities. With the support of our loved ones we will prevail as they have in generations past and solidify connections and personal commitments to social change for better years ahead. Artists are encouraged to meditate on the ritual and history of Dia de los Muertos in Los Angeles, experiment, and reinterpret the traditional symbols and elements for the dead as we have for generations in this place we call home, Los Angeles. 

This year we are creating a commemorative print of "Autorretrato en el Panteón," by my mom, Los Angeles-based artist Guadalupe Rodriguez, who transitioned to the celestial realm last summer.

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