La Virgen De Guadalupe in Chicana Art

La Virgen De Guadalupe, Tonantzin, La Virgen Maria, this image is recognized world wide by those affiliated with the catholic religion. We all have been exposed to her one way or another. Directly or indirectly those with Mexican heritage and culture can recognize her image almost immediately.  I myself was raised around this iconic image of Catholicism and taught to respect and believe in her because she was the mother of god and she would bring happiness to my life. Seeing her in the guest speakers’ presentation, Professor Gaspar De Alba, reminded me very much of my childhood and those weekends spent in church worshiping this icon.

Today, even though I consider my self culturally catholic I do not practice the religion. Yet, my instant reaction to the images created by the artist shocked me. Knowing that to my family and my self this image meant so much, those pieces of art seem like a disrespectful distortion of something holly.

However, when Professor Gaspar De Alba, explained that this was not done as a sign of disrespect to the image. On the contrary, it was done as a way to empower women and recreate this image as something more than a woman who is perfect. I was then able to comprehend that this was something that needed to be done in order to inspire many women. Ultimately, I was able to appreciate the images for what they were and not have this feeling of disrespect. 

On the other hand, I did not react adversely to the questioning of the origins of this iconic image since I myself have questioned many of these tales that I grew up hearing.  Consequently, I was more easily able to comprehend the reasoning for us to be more analytical on the origins of this image.