Brought Back from the Dead

Photographs by Michael Andrews

Rituals illuminate human intent and consequence. They foster belonging and build community, express seasons, reveal history or rights-of-passage, and frequently influence entire societies to abandon everyday routines to investigate, discover, and celebrate life’s deeper meanings.

I have photographed rituals in many corners of the world. In 2021, I went to Oaxaca, Mexico, with a group of American photographers to learn about and document the Dia de Muertos celebration there. The name of this exhibition, “Brought Back from the Dead,” has several meanings. In one sense, 2021 was a year that Mexican streets came back to life after the Covid epidemic.  Additionally, these photographs have been brought back to bridge the vibrant celebration on Oaxaca City’s Calle Alcala with events happening at this time of year in America.

Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration is an annual event with historical roots, but also a modern connection to the country’s evolution as a republic. More than just a costume party, Dia de Muertos is an opportunity to revere the tradition of welcoming back the dead with oferendas, while recognizing the history and meaning of La Calavera Catrina, the icon of Mexican identity created by artist Jose Guadalupe Posada in the early 20th Century.

Awash in today’s tension about “cultural appropriation,” there are conflicting opinions on “why” and “how” to embrace Mexico’s Dia de Muertos celebration. We all must ask ourselves if we are stealing only the trappings of the Mexican tradition without doing the hard work of learning why and how to appreciate it.

Harvard University social scientist, Joan Donovan, has said “information is fast and cheap, knowledge is slow and expensive.” As you consider these images and celebrate Dia de Muertos, I hope you enjoy the party and reach deeper to learn about the ritual’s meaning in Mexico and how its themes may resonate with your own life. Curiosity and conversation about other cultures’ rituals deepen our interrelatedness, a worthy aspiration in this time of increasing disconnection.

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The Ofrenda builders—Janice Aragon, Nadzi Hey-Alqui, Diane Kahlo, and Michelle Newby Armstrong—each bring unique perspectives and artistic practices to the creation of traditional altars, or ofrendas, celebrating Dia de Muertos. Together, they weave a collective tribute that honors the Mexican heritage of this ritual while infusing each of their personal narratives and creative expressions. Their combined artistry and deep cultural understanding foster an environment that not only memorializes loved ones but also invites reflection on shared humanity, tradition, and remembrance.

All Hallows Ink

Bluegrass Printmakers is a non-profit organization, founded in 2005 and based in Lexington, Kentucky, offering a community for people of varying skills and experience to learn and practice the art of printmaking.

Our members range from professional artists to students to people who simply enjoy printmaking as a hobby. All members are welcome to participate in group exhibitions and sales. We also offer classes and workshops to bring the fun of printmaking to the public.

Central Kentucky printmakers working together to help each other thrive and spread the joy of printmaking throughout the community.

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September 6th - October 11th