La Catrina sculpture keeps watch over Oakland
A 34‑foot La Catrina has taken its place in Fruitvale Village, becoming the tallest version of the iconic skull‑faced figure in the United States. Crafted by a team of artists from Mexico City and assembled by Romain Greco of the collective Artsumex, the sculpture arrived by truck and now towers over the neighborhood.
The work was commissioned by the Unity Council and will serve as the focal point of the Fruitvale Día de Muertos Festival on Nov. 1. The celebration, which routinely attracts up to 100,000 visitors, blends live music, Latin American art and elaborate altars.
Beyond its size, the figure embodies the holiday’s themes of remembrance and community. With outstretched arms, the La Catrina is presented as a welcoming gesture to migrants and a visual reminder of inclusion, care, and cultural pride in the Fruitvale community.