City: Monterey Park
“ I hug my body with tears
Gripping the pains that rise
as they pull me down
I hold on to what suffer shows me
every hurt, taught
As I grieve my own passing
Emotions drown
as I cry myself to sleep
and die
Unto myself
Once more.
I have died
in every failing,
every time I have lost
grip of my power.
Yet I am still here
Old and new
after losing myself
in tumultuous storms
I honor my deaths
my past selves
all the shedding
of sweet release
and REbirth.
I die, to be born to a new breadth. “
City: Los Angeles
“The faces are of The Dead.
Spirits of The Dead, speaking to us.
This piece is meant to be humongous
I have dozens more sketches like this.
And they are meant to be painted in shades of blue. Some even made out of steal and stretch across a wall. These sketches were created by me in 2005 after I lost 3 members of my family that year due to either old age or drunk driving. “
City: Bell Gardens
“My daughter wanted to pay tribute to her European roots the best way that I have taught her too. As a biracial child she is coming to understand how powerful and full of colores death is to our xultura”
City: South Gate
“We often remember those we love, and those who have passed through tokens of appreciation, such as food, flowers, etc. I wanted to commemorate those people in our life, and what they do after they are long gone. While we cherish the memories of our passed loved ones, I hope they cherish our tokens of appreciation.”
City: Lancaster
“Orchids remind me of my mother, roses remind my mother of hers. I took this picture of a photograph I found in my mother's living room- a secret cabinet of mementos I discovered which my mother holds most dear. This photo, and its heritage reminds me of my past, and present relationships which I want to honor and preserve as a matriarchal expression to those we honor in our hearts, homes, and minds.”
City: Los Angeles
A family of sweet skeletons known as the Omimeh (Bones) welcome their newest friend to the underworld with a colorful Day of the Dead path of Zempoxochitl (Aztec Marigold) flowers, showing him that life after death it might be fun after all.
City: not specified
A guitarist playing a music sheet for his deceased wife.
City: Bell
“Un 20 de julio, pero de 1923 falleció uno de los hombres-leyenda más importantes de la Revolución Mexicana, Pancho Villa. El caudillo conocido como “El Centauro del Norte” además de ser reconocido por su reacio carácter, sus directas declaraciones y sus inusuales estrategias en batalla, también es reconocido por ser un hombre apasionado y enamoradizo que dicen algunos historiadores tuvo relaciones amorosas con 75 mujeres.
Así cómo podrás ver este es el origen de la frase tan conocida en México “Como Pancho Villa y sus dos viejas a la orilla”. En la pintura se encuentra Villa con dos mujeres listos para la Revolución. “
City: Los Angeles
"Venting while witnessing the actions and characteristics of Alzheimer’s. As I hold tight of His clouded vision that only seems to care about the time, not the times ahead just times behind. I see his tears withheld inside of his mask, only soon to understand time waits for no one. So many shades of memories to grasp, where did this stem from? I guess it's not as dark as it seems, still sun shines. Not asking for sympathy, just coping while scoping..."
"The Absense Of Memory"
Acrylic/Oil Paint
36in x 36in Canvas
2016
City: South Gate
Ofrenda for my loved ones
City: South Gate
Llorona’s Children is part of an illustrated story titled ‘Lloronas of Juárez’ that takes place in an Immigration Detention Center. In this scene, Margarita has just put her nephew Juan to sleep after having woken up from a nightmare that involved La Llorona. Margarita thought about La Llorona’s pain; the pain of losing her children and wandering for eternity in search of them. She then stares at the corner of her cell and thought about her own children. They were lost, taken away from her, and she would wonder her life looking for them. As she closed her eyes, she holds Juanito even tighter and cries:
“Oh my children, where are my children?”
The wailing women
Plant marigolds for fallen souls
The Rio Grande now reconnects
Families separated by border patrols
What happens when mothers’ pain
Interweaves with grassroots work?
A dream blossoms
From collective hope
Read the rest of the story at albertorozco.co/lloronas
City: South Gate
Siempre en nuestros pensamientos, nuestras oraciones, y por siempre en nuestros corazones. Feliz Cumpleanos Tata Chano, que Dios lo tenga en su gloria.
City: East LA / Previously Cudahy
“Dios te salve Maria llena eres de Gracia... Los Rezos de mi Abuelita, forever etched in my Memory. The TV could be blasting, we could be at a family party or driving around L.A. But, Mi Abuelita, She was focused & unbothered. Whispers y suspiros, Prayers & Protection, Bendiciones y Persinos, Gracias y Amen. I can still hear her. Now at 35 years old, I here on Tongva Land & Tonana in Spirit World. I honor her faith that has paved the way for my Decolonization. Her faith & survival, Her Tortillas hechas a Mano, Her Mole from scratch, her Caldos, Her tés, Her Jardin & her Cantos...Su Arnica en alcòl. But most of all it was her Rosario in her hands, prayers that paved the way for us to be here; All 13 Hijxs, 30 Nietos, 50 bisnietos & 6 tataranietos. Tlazokamtli Tonana Guadalupe.“
City: Los Angeles
This photo montage luminaria highlights the last decade I shared with my parents here in Southern California. After illness brought them half-way across the country to me, I became their caregiver, chief advocate, travel guide, as well as, their daughter. As a child, they led me down life’s path. And today, the memories we made still light my way.
A revealing look into the last week of Frida Kahlo’s life and the mysterious cover up of who are what killed her.
City: Bell Gardens
“My daughter wanted to pay tribute to her European roots the best way that I have taught her too. As a biracial child she is coming to understand how powerful and full of colores death is to our xultura”
City: Los Angeles
These illustrations pay homage to the poetry of Devin Kelly, my friend who died at the age of 22. Several of these images were projected at his funeral & seek to restore the beauty of his life. It shows his loved ones mourning and processing through their artistic outlets, namely his mother’s dance, his lifelong best friend’s wood sculptures & my sequential drawings. His best friend’s wood carving was made the night we found out about Devin’s tragic passing. Upon later reflection of Devin’s poem, "A River Bed Dream," his words seem to echo through the silence while referring to him & the vaporous memories we have left.
City: Los Angeles
These illustrations pay homage to the poetry of Devin Kelly, my friend who died at the age of 22. Several of these images were projected at his funeral & seek to restore the beauty of his life. It shows his loved ones mourning and processing through their artistic outlets, namely his mother’s dance, his lifelong best friend’s wood sculptures & my sequential drawings. His best friend’s wood carving was made the night we found out about Devin’s tragic passing. Upon later reflection of Devin’s poem, "A River Bed Dream," his words seem to echo through the silence while referring to him & the vaporous memories we have left.
City:
From Left to right: Mario Alfaro, my wife’s stepfather when he was in his 20s; Guadalupe Alvarez, my Pops celebrating his retirement c. 2002; Felipa Castaneda, my tia in her 20s; Maria Jarquin, my wife’s grandmother; my Pops in his 20s.
City: Cudahy
This is a nicho in honor of Dia De Los Muertos. To celebrate love Life and Death. I also incorporated the are of Filigrana paper quilling. I learned this art in Mexico when I visited my familia in Veracruz. My mom has always made sure we keep this tradition and I put an altar up for my abuela every year.
City: South Gate
Zapatero is a portrait of a Guatemalan immigrant who provides shoe repair services throughout the City of South Gate. The image comes from a series, Southeast Drive, exploring daily life in LA's southeast cities. To view the series please visit: http://www.leopoldopena.com/southeast-scenes
City: South Gate
Lulu was a golden chihuahua gifted to us by a family friend. She passed away a few years ago. She was spunky, caring, silly, and always hungry. There's not enough space to share all the memories I have of her and how much she meant to me but whenever I think of her it reminds me of all the love and affection that I had for her and how much I miss her.
This is a Pokemon plushie of Jolteon who reminds me of Lulu accompanied by @Kalliarte and @Utopia_artes artwork.
City: Downey
Amalia is an educator who is teaching her son about his culture during their distance learning at home.
City: Los Angeles
When my grandfather bought his first home in LA, the first thing he made was an altar for the Virgin Mary. It started off with a picture frame, and now it’s a porcelain figure. My grandfather might have passed away, (in 2007) but the Virgin Mary still stands outside my home. It is a memory of my grandfather that I will forever treasure! May his soul be RIP!
City: Downey
A painting of the Virgin Mary wearing a traditional calaca mask in honor of Dia de los muertos while representing Los Angeles, the city of angels.