Rocio Luna Moreno (41 years old) and her husband, José Gabriel Espinoza (42 years old), have been making their retablos, altars and other nostalgic Mexican folk art pieces for approximately ten years. Over the years, their vision and personal interpretation has taken on the fuller aspects of Mexican "arte popular" (folkart).

Their inspiration comes to them easily from the colors and decorations used for centuries during Mexican celebrations and fiestas. People often say their work brings back memories of special times in their lives.

The term nicho comes from the Spanish word for niche, a place in a wall that was used in Colonial times for displaying religious icons. Nichos offered by Luna Moreno are a modern folk art that blends traditional elements of Mexican culture, humor and materials. Both present-day and historical icons are combined in new ways to surprise and amuse, often employing plays on words. Ceramic figures (often with a Day of the Dead motif) are displayed in the nichos. The figures and the nichos are both crafted and painted by hand. Mexican folk sayings are used with some pieces to set-up elaborate visual puns.

The ofrenda (altar) is commonly a table set up in the home during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as an altar displaying pictures of the departed, favorite foods & drink & brightly decorated with fresh flowers & candles. These enticements as well as burning copal incense, the guiding light of candles, drum & flute music, are all offered to the departed so they might join the living in celebrations of, not death, but the continuum of life.

If you are interested in more information on Rocia Luna Moreno, please contact Marianne Carlson at (from the US) 01152 376 765 7485 or email marianne carlson@gmail.com.