Julia Fuentes: Emperor Skull Painting Alebrije

This piece by Julia Fuentes is a breathtaking Day of the Dead oil painting-woodcarving combination. At its center is a vibrant purple skull, decorated with swirling patterns and surrounded by a radiant halo of feathers in neon blues, greens, oranges, and purples. The skull almost seems to glow against the deep midnight background, symbolizing the connection between life, death, and spiritual rebirth. A striking detail is the maize earrings. Corn, maiz, was sacred to pre-Columbian cultures, especially the Zapotec and Mixtec people of Oaxaca. It was not only the foundation of daily sustenance but also a symbol of life itself, tied to creation myths in which humans were believed to be formed from corn. Origin: Oaxaca Dimensions: 8''Long 6''Wide 1''Deep