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Day of the Dead ~ Artist-in-Residence
In-gallery demonstrations with Isaac Hernández Ruiz |
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Visitors watched Isaac create linoleum block prints and also tried their own drawing and printing. # # # Isaac Hernández Ruiz, a Mexican-born artist, has been an important cultural and artistic leader in Seattle over the last decade. With art training from the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico City, Hernández Ruiz uses his artistic skill and vision to encourage people of all ages to think about life through art. "Art can be a tool for education," says Hernández Ruiz, whose work and teachings inspire communities to reflect on their cultural heritages. Hernández Ruiz is best known locally for his creative contributions to Seattle's Day of the Dead celebrations. He has contributed sand paintings (tapetes) and installations to the Burke Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, Seattle Art Museum, South Park Community Center, Cooper Elementary School, and more. He has also contributed to Seattle Center's Day of the Dead festivals, and in 2006, he serves as a lead organizer for the event. Hernández Ruiz's large-scale altar installation in the Burke Museum's Celebration of Souls exhibit continues this legacy of bringing authenticity to Seattle's Day of the Dead celebrations. "It is important to me to act as a facilitator and show children how you can express yourself through art," says the artist of his work. While at the Burke Museum, Hernández Ruiz interacted with visitors in the galleries, bringing them insight into the origin and traditions of Mexican artistic styles associated with Day of the Dead. Comments from students: "I liked the beautiful tapete Isaac made it made me understand the afterlife better, I also loved the amazing colors it had." "Isaac's art realy helped me understand Days of the Dead." |
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Artist-in-residence Isaac Hernández Ruiz was in the galleries during October 2006. Photo by MaryAnn Barron |
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