recklessxiam

I’ve thought about it several times, and all I could keep thinking of was one thing—-When death comes for me, I want it to be a happy surprise.

I have mentioned I have started creating images of Day of The Dead girls, and no, they are very much non-related to Sylvia Ji’s work. I have been fascinated with death, skulls and ornamental, decorative things that are prolific through culture. Especially in tattoos. In the Philippines, we celebrate All Souls Day, which I wish somehow was like Mexico’s Day of the Dead, but I’ll have to do with sitting around cemeteries, balling up wax and being stern cuz the elders will be offended. It was boring and fake, like a task to be done because that’s how I viewed how other families where doing it. Gathering, praying (which I give them much credit for, because I could never really pray seriously, I always like conversing more, don’t you?), tho most would be playing or gambling, or getting drunk (which is also fine, but their drinking excuse is cuz it’s better to drink with a lot of people around and everyone can chip in).

I was always fascinated with death. I’d stare at dead insects, birds, and other animals and contemplate how they were like alive and that they should be celebrated that they somehow or fully lived. Then I learnt about the festival they have in Mexico. How its so bright and colorful and festive. They celebrate the dead. Sugar-skulls lined up, skulls painted over beautifully. I thought it was wonderful. I found out more of them integrated in tattoo art, and I found myself enjoying Tim Burton films. I keep remembering the superstitions and apprehensions folks often have with the dead, and I found my mama constantly complaining why I can’t draw beautiful things like birds, flowers and children playing, etc. and to stop painting scary stuff. I can’t help it. I’m just really not afraid of it.