It’s a cheerful image with a dark undertone—there are eight skulls visible, and the face of a man who looks startled.
In Mexico, on All Souls’ Day, they celebrate Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead. It’s believed that the souls of children return to earth on November 1st, and those of adults on November 2nd. Throughout the year, Mexicans prepare for the festival, which, interestingly enough, looks very joyful. It’s a beautiful way to deal with death and life.
That’s exactly what this photo expresses—the morbid becomes festive without being hidden. The bright colors change the way you perceive it.
The bottom skull, by the way, seems to be a nod to artist Damien Hirst, who once covered a skull with 8,601 diamonds and called it For the Love of God.