Calaveritas Sculptures - Abuelito Teo & Mama Leva

In harmony with the Day of the Dead tradition of honoring dead ancestors, Mexican Artist Rino celebrates the memory of his grandparents, Abuelito Teo and Mama Leva, who dedicated part of their lives as farmers in El Barrio de la Soledad, Oaxaca. Many regions of Mexico celebrate November 2nd as both the Day of the Dead festivities and as an agricultural holiday since it coincides with the end of the agricultural cycle for many products, including seasonal corn and pumpkin. The Farming Couple skeleton sculptures is a tribute to both celebrations and underlines the overall importance of agricultural work in our society.

The sculptures are Rino’s own artistic and cartoonist composition inspired by the style and aesthetics of the “calaveritas” skull characters from the renowned Mexican artist and illustrator, Jose Guadalupe Posada.

Rino embraced the traditional Mexican art form of "cartonería," using papier-mâché, cardboard, and paste to craft the sculptures. Students from the Fine Arts program at the Ottawa School of Art contributed their talents by painting both pieces. For more insights into the cartonería technique, be sure to explore the Making Of section.