Rafael Figueroa is the most decorated cartonería artist in West Tennessee. In the 1980s, Rafael has memories of making piñatas during the Christmas holidays with his family. He learned the basic concepts of the art of cartonería from his Uncle Timoteo and has now been practicing this tradition for 12 years. He is an active volunteer in his local community in Memphis and builds sets for Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group productions. Rafael explains, “It is important for me to preserve this art because it is a symbol of the traditions with which I grew up, it also represents a visual tool to teach and educate other cultures about deeper concepts about human existence itself and the consciousness that the Latin American immigrant culture has in the USA.”
Cartonería is a traditional art in Mexico that dates back to the 18th century. Similar to papier-mâché, what begins as a wire figure is transformed into an imaginative sculpture using paper, paste, molds, and paint. The Museum of International Folk Art describes Mexican cartonería as, “an artform that expresses human imagination, emotion, and tradition using the simple materials of paper and paste to create a diverse array of subjects such as piñatas, dolls, Day of the Dead skeletons, and fantastical animals called alebrijes.”
In Mexico and the United States, cartonería Catrinas are made to celebrate el Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Observed on November 1st and 2nd each year, this holiday honors deceased loved ones through the creation of home alters. These ofrendas are filled with photos, sugar skulls, flowers, and favorite foods and items of family members or friends who have passed away. Large cartonería skeletons are constructed and displayed in homes, market squares, and in parades. None are more iconic than the high-society lady wearing a fancy hat, Catrina.
As part of the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program this year, Rafael will teach Sandra Figueroa. Rafael will teach Sandra how to design a Catrina and assemble one using corrugated cardboard, newspaper, and various pastes and glues. Once the piece is assembled, Rafael will show how the final decoration and installation is completed. Sandra is deeply involved in local Day of the Dead celebrations and performs as Catrina each year in the parade. While she has helped to decorate the skeletons each year, she is excited to deepen her knowledge by learning how to build one from scratch. She explains, “It is very important for my family and my community because it is a tradition that our grandparents taught us and that we now remember fondly by building an offering for them and transmitting our knowledge to new generations, teaching the meaning of each element and character that is used to carry out this celebration. It is important to share with other cultures that wish to celebrate this cultural legacy with us.”
