Portrait of Artist as Virgen de Guadalupe

One of the artwork pieces by Lopez that really stood out to me was the portrait of her as the Virgin of Guadalupe. This figure really spoke to me for a number of reasons, but I especially appreciated navigating and thinking through the symbolism and imagery. Her transformation of the initial image with the baby angel holding up La Virgen, to having the Chicana figure step on the angels wings (that are marked in colors of the American flag) brought to mind the colonization and violence that indigenous people have experienced as a result of European settler colonialism. 

Additionally, the positioning of religious iconography is important to note, as images of Coatlicue are printed on the runners dress. This made me think of the various mediums in which colonization occurs, especially through imposition of a new religion/ world belief. I believe the baby angel in part represents Christian evangelical ideology and there's power in her stepping on the angel, especially with the pattern of the Aztec goddess Coatlicue on her dress. As she holds the snake by the neck, a symbol of Aztlan, as well as a cloak of stars, her stance exhibits power and confidence, re-presenting the image of la Chicana in a way that defies and debunks patriarchal portrayals and standards of what Chicanas should look like. On top of this, the figure is athletic and has muscular legs, illustrating her strength. This portrayal doesn't follow typical illustrations of femininity that are shown in the original Virgen figure and in doing so reclaims and represents a self made identity of the author.

The need for self representation I think is critical to making space for a new and more accurate narrative. I appreciate that Yolanda painted this figure after herself. The figures vibrant smile and bronze/golden skin also emphasizes pride in who she is. The utilization of La Virgen imagery and centering the daily activities that Chicanas engage in I feel uplifts and values Chicanas. Just as Chicanas have had to write themselves into history, we've also had to self represent ourselves and make spaces of respect and appreciation/ self love.