Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos
@ National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608
Opening Friday, September 25th, from 6PM - 8:30PM
On view through Sunday, November 29th
This year marks the 40th annual Día de Muertos exhibition at the National Museum of Mexican Art. As we reflect on four decades of collecting, preserving, and celebrating Mexican art and culture, this exhibition looks back through the Permanent Collection to trace the evolution of Day of the Dead and the museum itself. Just as Day of the Dead keeps the memories of loved ones alive, the museum preserves memory through art.
Rooted in ancient Mesoamerican beliefs and Catholicism, Day of the Dead has transformed over centuries, with each region of Mexico incorporating its own customs and beliefs into memorial celebrations. Mexican families on both sides of the border and worldwide gather each November 1 and 2 to welcome back the souls—and the memories—of their loved ones.
This year’s exhibition is in honor of Dr. Gilberto Cárdenas (1947-2026), a dedicated scholar, pioneer of Chicano Studies, and a dear friend of the Museum. Gilberto believed in the power of art to honor the histories and voices of Mexican, Chicana/o, and Latinx communities in the US. His vision contributed to our Permanent Collection, and his legacy lives on through the art and memories we preserve together.
Continue your Day of the Dead tour in our Courtyard space, designed and curated by the youth artists of Yollocalli Arts Reach. Featuring original art installations inspired by the holiday’s rich traditions, with a modern twist. You can also take a moment to visit the community ofrenda and participate by adding a note, drawing, or memory to honor someone you’ve lost.
Curated by Dolores Mercado, Elisa Soto Sánchez and Cesáreo Moreno
Installation/Ofrendas
Miguel A. Del Real (mural)
Demetrio García Aguilar (Oaxaca)
Familia Ricardo Linares (Mexico City)
David Rios (Washington)
Fuentes Rojas (Mexico City)
CHema Skandal! (Chicago)
Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame
Robert Valadez & Gregorio Gómez (Chicago)
Participating Artists
Josefina Aguilar
Mary J. Andrade
Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin
Humberto Batista
Valerie C. Burton
Leonora Carrington (1917-2011)
Elena Climent
Olga Costa (1928-1993)
Nicolás de Jesús
Martha Gabriela Driessen
Luis Fitch
Guillermo Gadda (1945-2009)
José Luis González
Joan Hackett Romero
Ester Hernández
Brian Herrera
Ilda Lara
Carmen Lomas Garza
Arthur López
Mario López Torres
Manuel Manilla (1830-1895)
Leo Matiz (1917-1998)
Roberto Montenegro (1887-1968)
Emmanuel C. Montoya
Ann Murdy
Alejandro Nava
Pedro Ortega Lozano
Uriel Parker (1968-2011)
José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913)
Deborah Rael-Buckley
Racrufi
Alejandro Rivera Leal
Heriberto Rodríguez
Michael Roman (1956-2016)
Roberto E. Rosales
Familia Santiago
Abdulia Santos
Óscar Soteno Elías
Patssi Valdez
Lorena Lidia Velasco Villanueva
Larry Yáñez
George Yepes
Alfredo Zalce (1908-2003)
Image: Alfredo Zalce, Descanso (Resting), 1979, etching and aquatint / aguatinta y aguafuerte, 32/60, NMMA Permanent Collection, 1987.23, Gift of the artist
Official Website
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Tags: Abdulia Santos, Alejandro Nava, Alejandro Rivera Leal, Alfredo Zalce, Ann Murdy, Arthur López, Brian Herrera, Carmen Lomas Garza, ChatGPT said: Miguel A. Del Real, CHema Skandal!, Chicago, David Rios, Deborah Rael-Buckley, Demetrio Garcia Aguilar, Elena Climent, Emmanuel C. Montoya, Ester Hernandez, Familia Ricardo Linares, Familia Santiago, Fuentes Rojas, George Yepes, Guillermo Gadda, Heriberto Rodríguez, Humberto Batista, Ilda Lara, Joan Hackett Romero, José Guadalupe Posada, José Luis González, Josefina Aguilar, Larry Yáñez, Leo Matiz, Leonora Carrington, Lorena Lidia Velasco Villanueva, Lower West Side, Luis Fitch, Manuel Manilla, Mario López Torres, Martha Gabriela Driessen, Mary J. Andrade, Michael Roman, National Museum of Mexican Art, Nicolas de Jesus, Olga Costa, Óscar Soteno Elías, Patssi Valdez, Pedro Ortega Lozano, Racrufi, Robert Valadez & Gregorio Gómez, Roberto E. Rosales, Roberto Montenegro, Uriel Parker, Valerie C. Burton, Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin, Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos
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