Obituary of Alicia DeOlivera Cardenas

Alicia DeOlivera Cardenas, March 22,1977 – December 27, 2021

Artist, Activist, and Entrepeneur, Alicia Cardenas was taken from this world on Monday, December 27, 2021.

Alicia was a well known and highly respected tattoo shop owner, muralist, Indigenous women's
activist, LGBTQ advocate and body piercer. Starting her career at age 19, Alicia opened famed tattoo shop Twisted Sol as part owner. Her goal was to operate a clean, safe, high quality body modification shop. Alicia was a proud member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) and help set guidelines for safer tattoo shops across the county. She challenged the negative stigma of tattoo shops by operating the first Boutiqe' style tattoo shop where clients could recieve safe, safety concious body modifications, without judgement or oppression. Eventually she opened Sol Tribe on Broadway continuing the welcoming atmosphere of Twisted Sol. Sol Tribe was another leader in it's industry. They specialized in importing hand made jewlery from around the world hiring hand picking talented artists, and maintaining a comfortable, safe,welcoming enviornment. In additon to her business endeavors, Alicia enjoyed native american dance, spiritual prayer and ceremony and so much more.

Her influence in the indigenous community was ever increasing. More recently, Alicia had begun making a name for herself as a Meso-American muralist and visual artist having painted many highly intricate and culturally significant murals arount Denver, Arizona, and New Mexico. Alicia was a supporter of Chicana artists, and LGBTQ equality, and had only begun to make her mark in these communities.

As one might expect her most proud accomplishment was being a mother of a 12 year old daughter, It was her love, her life, and her true reason for being. Preceded in death by her mother,Beverly Louise DeOlivera (July 18, 1945- July 25, 1998) Alicia is daughter to Alfredo J. Cardenas, sister to Alfredo Javier Cardenas.  Alicia's impact on her community was significant and her influence felt worldwide. The tattoo industry has changed forever with both her involvment and her passing. She will be sorely missed by all those who knew her.