Ajijic artist Efren González is literally cooking up a highly original sculptural work designed to pay tribute to the town’s dearly departed.
His latest work is a giant ceramic mural titled “Muro de los Muertos” that will be made up of 1,000 identical bas-relief plaques shaped as skulls, each inscribed with the name of the real person to whom it is dedicated. The pieces will be installed in parallel rows along on the east side exterior of the Marcos Castellanos elementary school, located opposite the San Andrés parish church.
González has already finished 200 of the clay figures that he intends to start fixing in place over the next week or so. He will gradually complete the work in time for inauguration during the Days of the Dead celebrations on November 1 and 2. Once finished, the mural will measure approximately 25 meters in length by five meters in height.
Best known for his paintings, González began experimenting with ceramic as a mural medium six years ago when he created the award-winning entry in a local mural contest commemorating the 2010 bicentennial of Mexico’s Independence and the 100-year anniversary of the Revolution. The original is placed at the north-east corner of the same school. He later duplicated the piece for installation just inside at the entrance to Chapala City Hall.
González is cranking out the molded skull figures for the new mural at his Ajijic studio, a few doors south of the school. He employs a rustic wood-burning kiln built in the back yard to fire about 80 pieces at a time.
Hustling now to meet the November deadline, this week he extended an open invitation to all Ajijic families to sign up for inclusion in the project. On the premise of a one time, now-or-never deal, he is accepting enrollment of loved ones, both living and dead, to allow for the clustering of entire family clans.
The difference between the two states of being will be distinguished during the Dia de Muertos holidays, when metal holders for votive candles to be lit will be temporarily attached to the figures representing persons who have passed on to the afterlife.
The first skulls he produced bear the names of his late father Javier González Martínez and father-in-law, American artist Sidney Schwartzman. He has also made figures for himself, wife, children and other family members, along with dozens of villagers from all walks of life.
“The idea for the mural is to honor ordinary folks, not just our most eminent people.” Among well-known foreigners being remembered are Morley Eager and Tom Faloon.
González points out that he hasn’t set a fixed cost for ordering the plaques. Production expenses will be covered out of his own pocket and voluntary donations offered to support the project.
For further information, enrollment or a look at the work in progress, visit the artist’s gallery-studio at Marcos Castellanos 7, open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or call (cell) 33-1703-3942.