'Yaqui Day of the Dead' by Ernesto Yerena, 2020
Yerena’s intricately layered calavera imagery, blending Día de los Muertos symbolism with Indigenous motifs and his distinctive graphic approach to cultural identity and resistance.
Copper and turquoise variant.
Very rare Artist's Proof edition.
24 x 18 Inches
61 x 45.7 Centimeters
Screen print on 240gsm black Pilke fine art paper.
Limited Edition of 300 (#AP/300)
Hand-signed and dated by the artist in pencil bottom right.
Hand-numbered "AP" in pencil bottom left.
ABOUT THE ART
Mexican-American artist Ernesto Yerena Montejano is celebrated for his powerful fusion of street art, traditional printmaking and politically charged imagery exploring cultural identity, Indigenous heritage and social justice. Known for his collaborations with Shepard Fairey and his distinctive graphic aesthetic, Yerena draws heavily upon his Mexican and Yaqui roots, incorporating ancestral symbolism, revolutionary iconography and bold visual storytelling to celebrate cultural resilience and resistance.
Created in 2020, Yaqui: Day of the Dead presents an intricately detailed calavera (decorative skull) inspired by the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos and Indigenous visual culture. The striking Copper and Turquoise variant features elaborate ornamental patterns, radiating eyes, butterflies and symbolic imagery rendered in shimmering metallic copper and vibrant turquoise against a deep black background. Layered textures and intricate graphic elements give the composition remarkable depth, while references to cultural identity, remembrance and resistance transform the traditional skull motif into a powerful celebration of heritage, ancestry and perseverance.
Produced as a screen print on heavyweight 240gsm black Pilke fine art paper, this distinctive edition showcases Yerena's exceptional command of color, contrast and traditional printmaking techniques. This example is a rare Artist's Proof (AP), hand-signed and dated by Yerena in pencil, with the AP designation in the lower margin. A visually striking expression of contemporary Chicano and Indigenous-inspired art, Yaqui: Day of the Dead embodies the artist's ongoing commitment to preserving cultural traditions while bringing their imagery into the contemporary street art movement.