For the last ten years I have tirelessly researched the origin and history of Dia de los Muertos and Mexican Sugar Skulls in North America. Throughout my life I have been curious about the historical and social conditions that led to the development of this Mexican Holiday and the use of calavera (human skull) iconography.
In the course of my research I read many translated historical accounts of the Spanish Conquistadors and the Roman Catholic Church’s attempt to acculturate and colonized indigenous people in the 1600’s. After years of research I concluded that the popular depictions and accounts of the first Spanish Conquistadors were inaccurate.
I became impassioned with educating artists’ other Chicanos and the general public as to a more accurate account of the Spanish invasion of central America during the 1600’s. In my art classes I also included more accurate information concerning how Dia De Los Muertos and traditional Mexican Sugar Skulls.
For example, the popular idea that the Spanish conquistadors defeated the entire Aztec empire alone is false. The Spanish Conquistadors recruited from 60,000 to 100,000 enemy warriors of the Aztec empire. The Spanish Conquistadors comprised of less than 1% of the army that battled the Aztec nation. In addition, small pox and other pathogens brought by the Spanish Conquistadors are the reason the Aztec empire were defeated. These pathogens killed the indigenous population by the millions within a very brief time.
In 2021 most of my Mexican Sugar Skull art classes sold out as in previous years. People continue to be fascinated by Traditional Mexican art media and ancient Mexican holidays and customs. I was interviewed a number of times buy journalists concerning my research and art classes. I was particularly happy with The Press Democrat’s lengthy article on my art classes.
I am currently planning my art class and speaking engagements for 2022 and 2023. There seems no end to the public’s demand for these art classes. Dia De Los Muertos is vastly becoming more popular in the USA. It seems the dead are more popular than ever!
Published on Nov. 21, 2021 at 1:29pm