Chapter 6

I began reading Laura E. Perez’s book “Chicana Art” last week and I decided to start reading the last chapter first. Chapter 6 is titled face, heart and it was a very insightful regarding religion and women’s place in society. Throughout the chapter there are numerous artistic interpretations of the La Virgen de Guadalupe or the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary is a major religious figure within the Latino community and as a result she has become a source of inspiration for Latino artist. Perez also mentions how Latina women have been taught to emulate the humility and obedience of the Virgin Mary. However, some women feel that those specific characteristics were created by men and they don’t agree with the idea that she is only an obedient woman to God. Other women believe that the Virgin Mary is their god and that women are free to interpret her anyway that they wish. The mother of Jesus has been portrayed as an Aztec statue, a scantily clad woman with attitude, and with the face of Frida Khalo. These paintings have met a variety of opposition within museums from clergy and everyday people causing the paintings to be removed in some instances. In general they view the Virgin Mary as a protector of disenfranchised people. Ironically, one could say that women are disenfranchised and La Virgen de Guadalupe.