#12: La Muerte (Death) 2008

Marina Pallares made this small woodcut print, #12: La Muerte, using black ink on paper. The image is La Muerte, or Death, who is dressed to party! I can imagine Pallares, carving away at the block of wood, each mark precise and deliberate, and also playful. The contrast is stark: black against white. Her skeleton is bedecked with an elaborate dress, complete with zigzag patterns. A crown made of what looks like tiny glass bottles sits atop her head! The composition creates a sense of depth, with a landscape receding into the background. The title, "La Muerte", is emblazoned at the bottom. It reminds me of José Guadalupe Posada's calaveras, those iconic skeleton figures, but with her own contemporary spin. There's a celebration of life, even in the face of death. It's a beautiful, thoughtful piece. Artists are constantly riffing off one another, creating a visual conversation that spans centuries.