Virgin of Guadalupe in Textiles at San Bartolo Coyotepec Folk Art Center

The Virgin of Guadalupe is Mexico’s iconic symbol of feminism and the divine. She appears everywhere since Juan Diego first saw her apparition in 1531. She represents Mexico’s syncretism — the Tonantzin Aztec mother goddess and the Catholic Virgin Mary.* (See footnote.) Her origins are pure fertility, plenty, and indigenous. She is the spirit of Mexico and the most widely honored woman in the world. Many call her Mexico’s Patron Saint.

Textile exhibition focuses on Mexico’s tradition and faith.

December 10-12, 2018, Artisan Expoventa at Convivio, Parque Llano.  All the artisans in the exhibition will sell their work here.

Elida Lucina Merino Hernandez, San Pedro Amusgos, Oaxaca
Fito Garcia’s elaborate ikat rebozo with hand-knotted fringe, Tenancingo de Degollado, Estado de Mexico
Tapestry loomed ruana by Erasto Tito Mendoza, Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca

Linda Hanna, Oaxaca’s textile maven, curated this exhibition Rosas y Revelaciones working with a myriad of native Mexican weavers and embroiderers for three years. All the pieces were commissioned by her and I was told are part of her personal collection. 

Just in time for the December 12 Dia del Virgen de Guadalupe, the opening celebration was yesterday, December 9, at the Museo Estatal de Arte Popular (Folk Art Museum) in San Bartolo Coyotepec. It will stay up until March 2019. 

Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec, embroidered blouse
Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, Oaxaca

These are just a sampling of the more than 60 textile works of art on exhibit. It is so stunning, so mesmerizing, so meaningful that it is difficult not to be emotionally overwhelmed by the magnitude of human creativity that is displayed here. 

The power of woman, Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca
Flouncy Virgin apron, San Miguel del Valle, Oaxaca
Gilardo Hernandez Quero, San Pablo Villa de Mitla with his crocheted homage

Highest accolades to Linda Hanna for putting this extraordinary exhibition together, and for assembling the artisans to sell their work in an expoventa. It is always most gratifying to be able to buy from artisans directly to support them. 

Catalog available at Museo Estatal del Arte Popular, San Bartolo Coyotepec

*Footnote: A discussion, a dialog and opinions have surfaced around whether the Virgin of Guadalupe is in fact a saint. On my Facebook page

I asked the question: Is the Virgin of Guadalupe a saint? Many have responded. I invite you to join the discussion if you have an opinion or read what people say. 

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