Mexican artist Alejandro Santiago dead at 49

I just thought his was an amazing man even though I'd not heard of him before ... and as a pottery/art major in Eugene Oregon, even more so.   Would love to see his work.

OAXACA, Mexico — Alejandro Santiago, a Mexican artist who filled the streets of his hometown with clay figures to represent the migrants who left for the United States, died Monday. He was 49. 

Santiago died of a heart attack, said Emilio de Leo, the Oaxaca state culture director. De Leo said Santiago had diabetes for years 

Santiago, a painter and sculptor who studied in the workshop of Rufino Tamayo in Oaxaca, had shows in Mexico, the United States and Europe. 

His best known work was “2,501 Migrants,” which opened in 2007 in his picturesque hometown of Teococuilco, in southern Oaxaca state. Financed with a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, it was an ambitious work to create an army of life-size clay figures to replace departed townspeople.

Mexican artist Alejandro Santiago renowned for making clay migrants dead at 49 

2501 Migrants: A Journey is a full-length documentary that explores questions of art, and indigenous community in the context of global migration

Weekday night on the Melaque Plaza

We went down to the Melaque Plaza because they thought there was a small carnival with kids rides. Looks like they will be there next week but were not last week. Been awhile since I'd been there at night and was surprised at all the activities.

Lots of people eating on all sides of the plaza. Vendors selling glowing things from China. A spray paint artist turning out a new one every 10 minutes and selling them for only 50 pesos ($4.50us). When I told some gringos they were 50 and not 500, they bought one. We all had a great time just watching the show.

Taco stands over by the school

Two sit-down restaurants by the taxi stand

More tacos by the church

Spray paint artist

Glowing things from China

Dia de los albañiles

This is the cross Hugo's wife made for the Dia de los Albañiles and it's proudly tied to the top of my front wall. She's an artist of crape paper and this is probably not her first.