The Muyaes Ogazon collection of traditional Mexican masks was put together by Professor Estela Ogazon and the anthropologist Jaled Muyaes throughout more than 50 years. They dedicated their lives to the rescue of Mexican culture emphasizing their energy in the fascinating world of the Mexican dances and celebrations which use masks. The collection is composed by about 3000 masks all of which have been used in the celebrations which makes them unique pieces filled with a life of their own. They focused specially in the aesthetics of the objet but always made sure to have all the ethnographic information that a serious collection requires.
They travelled all over Mexico, attended the celebrations in the small towns, some at Christmas time, some at Easter, others celebrating the Patron saint of the communities, some other ritual, like in the State of Nayarit and Sonora. But always regarding these festivities with great respect and admiration, praising the traditions that have lasted throughout centuries and that other countries like the one this collection is visiting now, have to offer to the world.
(notes by Guy Berube, La Petite Mort Gallery, Ottawa, Canada)
