These paintings have evolved from a number of photographs taken
on one evening, “Dia de Los Muertos”, or the
Day of the Dead, November 2nd, 2005. The paintings, for the
most part, are images of close friends, (and even one of
myself), all painted and dressed up like skeletons on this
day of remembrance. For personal reasons, these photos are
very evocative for me of bigger intertwined themes of life & death,
love and loss, friendship, and the passing of time, and the
idea of family. I love the contrast between the imposing
image of the mask, and the realization that beneath that
skull is a sensitive pair of eyes looking out…and,
beneath that, the real skull. In some of the paintings, that
relationship is more ambiguous, and the people truly look
like skeletons. The photographs I’ve worked from were
both my own, and those of various folks depicted in the paintings,
many of whom are artists I work with on a daily basis, and
I thank them for being so generous with such wonderful material
for my use. I love that night, the quiet and reverent but
also festive crowds winding their way through the streets,
the quiet presence of those that have passed on, and the
unique atmosphere, simultaneously grave and joyous. It seems
to me important that we acknowledge our ghosts, and one night
a year, spend time with them a little more directly.
Gage Opdenbrouw's Artist
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Introductions 2006 exhibition
Artist's
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