Art at Pearl: Kaluza on Esencia, Fantastical Creatures, and the Color of Mexico

Inspired by the color, folklore, and spirit of Mexico, Lucia’s calavera draws on the beauty she finds in nature. Monarch butterflies and hummingbirds, symbols of movement, transformation, and wonder, join imagery rooted in Día de los Muertos to celebrate memory, life, and the enduring connection between the natural and spiritual worlds.

When Pearl invited Lucía Zambrano - Kaluza, to create a calavera for our first-ever Calavera Collection, she developed a piece she calls Esencia, or “essence.” When we sat down for a conversation with her, we learned more about the artist’s love of alebrijes, hummingbirds, and the vibrant colors of Mexico. 

What Esencia Holds

Though she now lives in San Antonio, Kaluza originally comes from Monterrey, Nuevo León. Her calavera is as meaningful as it is colorful, filled with symbols based in the culture of her home country. Her heritage shines through every part of her art.

Kaluza chooses her symbols intentionally, capturing the stories and magic of Mexico in her designs. On her calavera, she depicts the Xolo (Xoloitzcuintle), a dog breed she says has existed since ancient times and still exists today. She brought in images of alebrijes, which are fantastical creatures full of color and creativity. She says that, because they are imaginary, they capture what makes Mexico so magical.

She also painted hummingbirds, which have an especially poignant meaning during Día de los Muertos. Kaluza explains why she chose them: “Hummingbirds symbolize loved ones who are no longer with us returning to tell us, ‘I’m okay. I’m here with you.’”

Color as a Language

Kaluza says the reason she uses such vibrant images and flowers in her art is to “express who we are, what Mexico represents, and our traditions.” She aimed to infuse her piece with light and sunshine, creating “something beautiful, full of color, and sometimes fantastical.”

Connections between color and Mexico show up in every facet of her calavera. It shows up in the alebrijes, in the hummingbirds, and also in other powerful symbols associated with Día de los Muertos, like the bright orange monarch butterflies that are known to return home each year at the same time as our ancestors.

All of this becomes a visual language through which Kaluza celebrates memory, life, and the enduring connection between the natural and spiritual worlds. She says of the finished calavera, “Every part has details that represent Mexico.”

An Invitation

Kaluza says she’s proud to have been part of the first-ever group of artists to create these calaveras live at Pearl, working together side-by-side in Pearl’s public spaces. She extends an invitation to all who can make it to see the finished skulls.

“They’re beautiful and each one is different. I would love for you to come see them,” she says. “I hope you’ll come enjoy them at Pearl.”

The 2026 Calavera Collection is on view across Pearl through November 3, 2026 just after Día de los Muertos. Learn more about other featured artists.

Keep an eye on Pearl's social channels and join our email list for updates and events throughout the season.

**note: Kaluza’s quotes have been translated from their original Spanish.**