December 2, 2003 - January 20, 2004
La VIgren de Guadalupe, "Morena Moderna" by Diana Molina
Opening Reception: December 6, 2003, 6-8pm
Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most popular symbols of the Americas, especially
in Mexico where she is the best known and most loved of all saints. Annually,
some 10 million people visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico
City. Like so many elements of Mexican culture, her image is found throughout
the Southwest. The “Queen of the Americas” transcends borders:
historic, territorial, cultural, political and most recently, gender. As society
is affected by modern times and the role of women in Mexican and Mexican-American
culture is altered, her image also reflects new perspectives, new dimensions
and new conflicts. Within an artistic framework, portrayals of the Virgen de
Guadalupe take many shapes and textures that include murals, sculptures and
tattoos. Communities commemorate her in colorful altars, processions and dance,
especially on her feast day December 12.
Finding the presence of Guadalupe throughout her travels in Mexico and the United States, photographer Diana Molina began to document the modern-day phenomenon of “La Morena Moderna.” Her depictions of the symbol reveal the occurrence of her image within contemporary society, politics and media while visiting traditional Indigenous, Mestizo and Chicano celebrations that pay her homage. Portrayals show renditions of Guadalupe in a variety of public places and remote corners including the Basilica in Mexico City; The Sierra Madre in Chihuahua; Guadalupe, Zacatecas; Washington, D.C.; Tortugas in New Mexico and in El Paso, Texas, the artist’s birthplace.
Focusing on cultural, political and environmental reportage Molina has published feature articles for various international magazines including Elle, Esquire, GEO, GQ, Marie Claire, National Geographic Traveler and Vogue and her photographs are distributed throughout the world by GAMMA Presse in Paris. Exhibits of her work have shown at venues including The World Museum of Art in Rotterdam, Holland; The Art Museum of the Americas in Washington, D.C.; The Houston Museum of Natural Science; and The Centennial Museum at The University of Texas at El Paso. While she lived in Europe for a decade and travels extensively, Molina’s work often focuses on Mexican Culture across the borders. The UT Press plans to publish a book of her collection of portrayals of the dark-skinned Madonna. Symbolically, La Virgen de Guadalupe is the madre of all Mexicans, believers and non-believers alike. With a photographic collection that displays the pageantry and color of Mexican culture Molina evokes the sentiment and power behind the symbol