La Catrina: Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Inspired the main deity of the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico; La Catrina. A wealthy skeletal lady, dressed in finery, symbolising the message that we are all mortal, even the rich.
​
Combining this iconology with the other main religion in Mexico, Catholicism, I positioned my version of 'La Catrina' in a similar pose to the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Perpetual Help). I have always had an interest in icons as an art form. I love the drama and wonder that they were intended to create.
​
In traditional icon art, the Christ figure which Mary cradles, symbolises the hope of mankind. In my piece, the baby is a foetal skeleton suggesting that hope in mankind is dead. A monarch butterfly rests on the infant's skull as a sign that not all hope is lost, if nurtured and cared for, the soul can live on.