Itzpapalotl

A piece for the art exhibition "Féminas Virtudes" in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

November 25th, 2011, Toluca, Mexico.


"Butterflies, those graceful and light insects, symbol of Nature’s beauty and metamorphosis, are so often associated with women in many cultures throughout the world.
This work is inspired by ancient Aztec mythology. It represents two butterfly deities who played an important part in the religion and everyday life of people:

Itzpapalotl (Obsidian or Clawed Butterfly), was the strong and fierce Female Warrior who ruled over the world of Tamoanchan, the paradise of infant mortality victims. The obsidian knives on her wings were the symbol of women died during childbirth. Thus, she was the protector of midwives and also elderly women.

Using those two symbols was, at the first place, my way to depict a woman’s life and personality, through this concept of duality between light and darkness, fragility and power"