Inkplasma

Laura Valencia


La Catrina

Linocut print on paper with metallic ink.


La Catrina, or «The fancy lady», is a skeleton wearing a fancy hat with a feather and fancy clothes. Initially a symbol made to mock indigenous people in Mexico, today it has been reclaimed by mexicans to represent the day of the dead, a pre-hispanic celebration that has lasted until today, absorbing also catholic traditions. Day of the dead is 1st and 2nd of November in Mexico.

This drawing is my interpretation of La Catrina, with gold and copper tones to reflect the candle lights put at night. The frame represents elements of the offering altars put to remember dead family and friends. This is a very important Mexican tradition, and it helps us to remember people who are no longer with us. The dog, or Xolotl, is a reference to the Aztec dog god, who guides the dead to the afterlife.

The bronze color reminds of the warm light of candles in the night, when offerings are laid to remember our dead ones.

This is a relief print in which a piece of linoleum is carved out to produce a printing block. Ink is added to the printing block, and transferred to paper using a printer.

Original linolium carving used to make handmade prints.

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