Contemporary ex votos $140

Michael deMeng

One of the most interesting traditions in Latin America is the creation of ex votos. These are little paintings (not much larger than 10 inches by 7 inches) on tin that would hang inside churches throughout M exico . What they depict is nothing short of a miracle. They are thanks for divine intervention during a troubling time.

 A good example is one in which a family was crossing a desert in an attempt to reach the U.S. for a better life, but they ran out of food and water.  They are close to death but fortunately M exican authorities come across the desperate family in the nick of time, and their lives are saved.

 After such an event, the person who experienced the phenomenon would approach a village artist and commission them to recreate the event on a small piece of tin. Ordinarily the painting would have a written description of the event on the bottom of the ex voto, including the name of the recipient of the miracle and the date it occurred.

 For this workshop, students will create ex votos of their own, but in a slightly more contemporary fashion. Using traditional techniques of painting and/or drawing combined with the more contemporary techniques of collage and assemblage, each class member will create a personal homage to a stroke of good fortune. These will be created on small 8" x 7" pieces of metal or wood and will include a brief description of the event on the bottom portion of the panel. It will be essential for the participants to bring images (photos or photo-copies) as well as various objects relevant to the event, whether symbolic or directly related.

Supply List:
Scissors and cutting tools
Drawing tools- pens, pencils, pastels etc
Brushes (acrylic) - smaller and detail
Acrylic Matte Medium – or any adhesive for collage
Paint (acrylic- small tubes): Black, White, Quinacridone Gold, Pthalo Green, and other basic colors
A few different kinds of glues- E 6000 and  Liquid Nails original formula (red tab on label)
Small do dads, found objects, collage items and photos
Any personal items you want to include

Bring various item that you would like to use on your ex voto - this could be anything! - (jewelry, fake flowers, price tags, watch parts, shoelaces, fake eyelashes etc.) As I said, anything. Remember, smaller objects or items that can be broken down would be most appropriate . We'll have a communal pile of do-dads that students are willing to share with other

Questions? Email: assemblage@michaeldemeng.com website: www.michaeldemeng.com