Muertitos Collection by Evelyn Martinez/Xicanayork

Backstory:

Growing up in the South Bronx, my siblings and I stayed connected to our Mexican heritage through the teachings of our parents. We celebrated/celebrate Día de Los Muertos, a multi-day holiday where we create an altar either in the sala or the kitchen table, and we fill it with fruits, food, candies, Mexican bread, candles, and decorations to honor our dead and to feed them when they come visit us. We also put photos of our Muertitos on the altar and if we don't have photos available, we write their names and get them a white candle.

These traditions have always stayed close to my heart, and they became the foundation for a creative project born from grief and love.

Four years ago, while grieving the loss of my loved ones-our first dog Pillo, my Abuelito Guadalupe, and my college friend Brittney-I was inspired to explore the idea of transforming the altar into something we could carry with us, envisioning our bodies as walking altars. I revisited a rough draft of what would become Muertitos earrings, and made it better! Whimsical, detailed and cheerful. I created figurine earrings that symbolize my Muertitos, our collective Muertitos and fantastical Muertitos. Some were bailarines, some were birders, some were brides, and some were angels with butterfly wings. One I made recently was named after my dear aunt Silvi, who loved all things shimmery. Muertitos earrings have expanded my artistic practice and my creative expression and I'm grateful for the joy they've brought to their new homes. If you get to buy a pair, I hope they remind you of your own loved ones who have passed and of how their love carries you through life.