LUPE
(2024-2025) On going Project
The religious image of the Virgin of Guadalupe is more than just a symbol – it is an emblem of Mexican identity for Mexicans. The Mexican people have embraced the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe as a national symbol. Both believers and non-believers identify as Mexicans through this image, which belongs to the Catholic religion introduced by the Spaniards. This faith replaced the ancient polytheistic practices of the ancestral cultures that inhabited pre-Hispanic Mexico.
In my collages, I depict the pilgrims who, every year on December 12, travel great distances on foot, running, by bicycle, or by motorcycle to visit the Virgin of Guadalupe and give thanks. The distances they cover range from dozens to over 160 kilometers, regardless of the challenges of the journey.
People do this out of devotion, to give thanks for a miracle received, or to ask for one. In this work, I experiment with a different form of collage-making, once again drawing inspiration from my mother’s photo archive. These two aspects stand out in my current projects.
My intention is to present, in the form of a collage mural (images created from multiple exposures directly with a 6x6 medium format camera), various stories of these pilgrims and the trucks they use on their journey from their villages to the Basilica of Guadalupe.
These trucks, which serve as the „frontline“ of the pilgrimage, transport their belongings, such as food, clothing, and blankets for sleeping. Often, these trucks are also used to allow women or children accompanying them to rest.
The images that inspire this project show my family visiting the Basilica of Guadalupe every year, considered the most important religious building in Latin America. According to belief, this church was built at the location where the Virgin appeared.
This theme raises questions about national identity, cultural adaptation, and social influence.
In case of interest, request the password at the following email: villegasvea@googlemail.com