To celebrate the Mexican Catholic tradition of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, a group of young artists from the Expo Collective will showcase their paintings in Chicago.
The exhibition will take place in the Blue 1647 center starting on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and entry will be free, according to La Raza. The artists painted their own interpretations of the virgin, with some works less traditional than others.
The Virgin of Guadalupe is an icon for Mexican undocumented immigrants, and many Hispanics in the U.S.
One of the artists of Expo Collective, Alma Domínguez, told La Raza that the image represents support for those who need it and gives them the strength to overcome their problems.
"All of Latin America knows the virgin, she doesn't only exist in Mexico because she's a part of our identity and each artist will show what she means to them, in a creative and original way," said the artist.
Domínguez said she's not a believer but wanted to participate with her painting "Sincretismo," which shows a Latina with her arms crossed, wearing a rosary and cross earrings, while the Virgin is in the background, surrounded by stars.
The artist explained that the Latina is being watched over by the virgin, and said that she drew the Aztec goddess Cuatlicue on her arm
Another Mexican participating in the exhibit is Ricardo González, who said his painting was inspired by the armed conflict between Mexican Natives and Spaniards during the conquest era.
González painted the Virgin traditionally, surrounded by elements characteristic of Mexico during its conquest, like a war helmet, a sword, a rose, a cactus, maize, fire, an eagle and the god Quezalcoatl, god to both the Aztecs and the Mayans. Under the virgin, he painted the Aztec goddess Tonantzin and a pyramid.