Nopal e Identidad Mexicana / Nopal and the Mexican Identity
About the Painting
Garr was asked to submit a piece for an art exhibition in Mexico with the theme “Nopal” (prickly pear cactus).
Thinking about a concept for his piece, Garr immediately thought of the Aztec legend that would lead them to a location to build their new capital Tenochtitlan (now, Mexico City). In the current interpretation of this legend (as depicted on the Mexican flag), it called for seeing an eagle perched on a nopal cactus with a snake in its talons. Legend has it that they indeed saw this sight around the early 14th century on an island in Lake Texcoco, and built their capital on that spot.
Wanting to tie this further into the concept of the Mexican identity, Garr added the faces of four historic heroes into the tunas (cactus fruit): Emiliano Zapata, Father Hidalgo, Pancho Villa, and Benito Juarez.
This painting was created for the “Fifth International Exhibition of Small Format Art” exhibition held in Zapopan, Jalisco in November 2023.
Related Art...
La Vieja Machis / Legend of Lake Chapala
La Batalla Fantástica / Fantastic Battle
The Specs...
Digital art resembling an acrylic painting, reproduced on gallery-wrapped canvas — Size (W x H): 50cm x 70cm (20in x 28in).
More info about Garr: All About Garr.
To read art-related articles: Garr's Art Briefs Blog
Buy Garr's art: Garr's Online Art Store.
Garr can make you custom art: Custom Art Work.
To overcome a creative block: Random Sentence Generator.
How to contact Garr: Contact Info.