Week 3: Yolanda M. Lopez- Eclipse 1981

           Eclipse, from the Guadalupe Series, 1981 is a mixed media piece that offers a great deal of hidden meaning. Starting with the various images of women, referencing the Lady of Guadalupe, roses, and Saturn, attached within the piece add layers of meaning the greater message is. Through the complex articulation of the understanding of the Mexican woman and the patriarchy that unravels through Mexican culture, López further answers my questions of feminism and the concept of Chicanismo. Considering that this piece has various hidden meanings, it is important to note that the women are the center and replicated as it references her strong stance as a Chicana feminist. The women that are shown in the painting reference “Chicanas’ ancient heritage in the Americas [and] depict the contemporary trajectory of Chicanas’ mestizaje” (Davalos 83). Within the duplicated, there is a woman running in color and one in black in white along with images of Saturn at the top and a time-lapse in the bottom making reference to Mayan women through the eclipse of the Lady of Guadalupe (Davalos 83). The Saturn above the young lady running makes reference to a future orientation as the movement (running) significates a “sense of control and direction” (Davalos 84). The hidden meanings behind this particular piece are some of the most beautiful that reflects on López’s ideas of Chicana feminism. 

Yolanda M. Lopez. Eclipse, from the Guadalupe Series, 1981. 

 

Works Cited:     

Fig. 47. Yolanda M. López. Eclipse, from the Guadalupe series. 1981. Yolanda M. López. Davalos, Karen Mary. UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Press, 2008. p. 82. Figure 47. Print.