Myth and History

The paintings of the Myth & History series combine symbolic mythological and historical content. Recognized religious images are presented in a way that considers where they come from, and how they relate to previous images and traditions. Each has, in turn, been replaced through historical—i.e. political—evolution. Nevertheless, the paintings are still meant to evoke the kind of contemplation that traditional religious art elicits.
This same perspective can be applied to recent events—history-in-the-making—much of which is advanced by appeals to religious belief and division.


Early works, created in Oaxaca, Mexico, focused largely on the personification of feminine spirituality in Christian and indigenous Mexican traditions…with particular interest in their impact on women’s roles and self-image. Each is based on a religious sculpture from the era of Spanish colonization, still found today, beautifully preserved and actively adored, in Oaxacan churches.

Painted mostly in Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico, 2002 and 2005. Statements written about this work over that period can be found here. Next steps in this body of work can be found here.
In 2013 I created a papel picado to bring the Coatlicue diptych forward, adding a contemporary third element, La Bruja Coatlicue, to match the classical pair. It was shown first in the Days of the Dead event at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, and again in Los Angeles in 2014 in the Mujeres con Faldas de Serpientes y Talones de Aguila show.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *