Noche de Muertos / Night of the Dead

About the Painting

One of the most important celebrations in Mexico is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 1 and 2. It is important to understand that this is a celebration of life — the dead live on in our hearts and memories, and no one is truly dead until there is no one left to remember them.

November 1 is the day to remember the lives of lost children, and November 2 is the day to remember the lives of adults who have passed. The evening of November 2 is Noche de Muertos (Night of the Dead). The graves are decorated with cempasúchil (marigolds) and offerings (food and drink that were favourites of the deceased). Families gather and reminisce about the life of their loved one — they tell stories, and might even sing songs.

Garr created a digital painting as an impressionistic interpretation of the Night of the Dead ceremony in the cemetery on the small island of Pacanda in Lake Pátzcuaro in the state of Michoacán. This is a spiritual centre for the P’urhépecha people.

In Garr's opinion, this is much more intimate setting for this event than the more commercialised ceremonies on the main island of Janitzio.

You can see the marigold-festooned crosses and graves, and the many candles lighting the cemetery.

This was a dreamlike and highly atmospheric night that made a lasting impression on Garr.

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The Specs...

Digital art resembling an acrylic painting, reproduced on gallery-wrapped canvas — Size (W x H): 45cm x 28cm (18in x 11in).