In the vivid and evocative series “Las Muertas”, photographer Tim Tadder captures the essence of Lo Dia De Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead), a rich Mexican tradition that honors the deceased. Tadder’s collaboration with artist Krisztianna and stylist Julia Reeser brings to life a tableau of seasons, represented by intricately crafted and hand-painted models, against the backdrop of a stormy Californian landscape scarred by wildfire. The striking contrast of vibrant colors against the desolate earth creates a surreal homage to this cultural festival, blending the celebration of life with the acknowledgment of mortality.
The series not only showcases the artistic talents involved in its creation but also reflects the permeating influence of Lo Dia De Los Muertos on Southern Californian visual arts. Each portrait is a narrative, telling stories of life and death, of tradition and creativity, set within the thematic confines of the changing seasons. This collection stands as a testament to the enduring power of cultural expression and the beauty that can arise from collaborative artistry.
The Dia De Los Muertos festival is a beautiful display of culture, one that being in southern California is hard to hides its influence on visual arts. In October of 2014, I discovered Krisztianna, a Los Angeles artist that creates incredible Dia De Los Muertos sculptures. Inspired by her sculptures, I approached her about collaborating on a photoshoot. Krisztianna crafted a Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall set and hand painted the models as well as illustrating the portrait designs. For the incredible vintage styling we were fortunate to work with the talented Julia Reeser. The setting was a stormy day over the recently wild fire scorched earth. The combination of color, destruction and foreboding storm makes a truly surreal tribute to the traditions of the Dia De Los Muertos holiday.
Tim Tadder
More info: Website, Behance, Instagram (h/t: Laughing Squid).
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