Dia De Los Muertos

"Day Of The Dead"
Photos of altars & artwork from a display at the Gardiner Museum, Toronto (ON, Canada). Most of the work was created by people of Mexican heritage; some in Mexico and some in Canada.

The metallic looking substance (bell, Jaguar) is actually Oaxacan Black Clay - the pottery is placed in a kiln at ground level and baked for hours. The lack of oxygen to the fire produces a thick smoke of carbon and impregnates the clay to give it a wonderful colour. It's then polished, giving it a metallic look!