"I never feared cemeteries. The idea that the dead could rise from the graves or speak to the living was much foolishness to me. Once, when I was in the Second Grade, I made the mistake of repeating the superstition of another classmate who believed that bad things would happen if you walked on graves. I was very upset with being labeled as a believer of this foolishness and being held up for ridicule." "Nevertheless, I respect the dead. For me, cemeteries are the moving and frustrating attempts on the part of people who once lived to be remembered in this world. I clean the dust and leaves from graves, I leave no trash, I step about them carefully so that the effect is not ruined for others, and I sometimes talk to the markers. I've always had compassion for the powerless and those who now reside in the grave has the least power of any of us!" | Write to Joel GAzis-SAx Visit His Gallery PowWow with him |
| itrose.jpg | Italian Cemetery, Colma. A beautiful sample of the meeting of fine art and commemoration that you find in this very special spot. |
| itbamb.jpg | Italian Cemetery, Colma, California: The blue mood of this piece was unexpected but not unwelcome. |
| okeleph.jpg | Oak Hill Cemetery, San Jose, California: A detail from the Japanese Mausoleum. |
| hcangels.jpg | Holy Cross, Colma, California: This cemetery boasts many fine angels. |
| cltime.jpg | Cypress Lawn, Colma, California: This old gentleman makes me feel sad whenever I gaze on him. |
| cltimed.jpg | Cypress Lawn, Colma, California: Are the tears for the now-anonymous souls beneath the Laurel Hill Monument? |
| amchaves.jpg | Agua Mansa Cemetery, Colton, California: Grave monuments do not speak: they move us with their mere presence. |
| clwang1.jpg | Cypress Lawn, Colma, California: A detail of the Weeping Angel, together with blackened roses. |
| clwang2.jpg | Cypress Lawn, Colma, California: A complete view of the Weeping Angel, a Cypress Lawn classic. |
