Death Traditions
For my final project I decided to take advantage of the creating your own work option. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to use a pen and paper, and thought going back to some old school techniques would be a perfect homage to the subject and story I picked. The story Sabrina and Corrina was my inspiration for this piece, but more in particular is in the beginning when the grandmother is cooking for the funeral. The scene is set up with the woman in the kitchen cooking, while the men were in the living room. Having multiple family deaths, some as tragic as the story let on, that was a familiar scene in my life as well. Especially the part where she mentions her grandmother was cooking with three giant pots filled with pinto beans, menudo, and green chili. We at the Astorga house did the same thing. I can think of numerous times seeing my grandma, nina, and mama cooking late into the night as they prepped all the arrangements. I can remember my uncles and cousins in the other room quietly talking and reminiscing about the person who had passed. They usually had a bottle of some liquor as well. It’s interesting to see the importance of that tradition and care happening and how similar it can be. After my grandmother passed, that tradition kept on with my nina and mother and myself. I remember my grandmothers kitchen being very colorful and always found it ironic. All that color and all that sadness. I went with a traditional Mexican folk art look to also pay tribute to that part of my culture and my grandmothers decorations. In the middle I drew a table with the three foods that always brought some form of comfort during the sad time. I also decided to draw a woman skeleton on one side cooking, and male skeleton on the other side of the table with a bottle. Even though we were separated and had our duties we all came together over food. Thank you to everyone for the amazing semester, (as best as it could be anyways) it was exciting to see all the talent posted here. Best wishes and love to you all.
