Virgin of Guadalupe
One of the most original works I have created is undoubtedly a Virgin of Guadalupe with contemporary and provocative elements. A contemporary art collector approached me with the idea of creating a truly unique piece. After an initial exchange of images to better understand his tastes and vision, the Virgin of Guadalupe emerged as the focal point.
This icon, deeply venerated across South America, particularly in Mexico, has always made a strong impression on me. During my time in Colombia, I encountered numerous depictions of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and the idea of reinterpreting her immediately captured my imagination. I decided to base the project on this revered religious figure.
The client, however, was seeking something more transgressive. Initially, he requested that I depict the Virgin wearing a gas mask, but I opted to retain her traditional iconography, choosing instead to create a striking contrast with the background and the angels surrounding her. I wanted the message to be bold without compromising the sacredness of the figure.
A good client understands the importance of giving the artist creative freedom, and fortunately, this was the case here. With his guidance, I set about sketching the design.
In Christian tradition, angels are often portrayed with weapons—swords, bows, arrows, and spears to slay dragons. However, my decision to depict them armed with pistols and machine guns sparked strong reactions on social media, particularly on Facebook, where many found the interpretation controversial. But this was exactly what the client had envisioned. Furthermore, the angels were to be tattooed and wear balaclavas inspired by Mexican narcos, adding an additional layer of provocation to the piece.
The creation of this piece was highly labour-intensive but equally enjoyable, especially for an artist like me who loves to meticulously focus on details. Although this Virgin of Guadalupe panel did not exceed one metre in height, the production process took about a month. Each stage was completed with great care, allowing me to fully express my passion for precision.
For the leadwork, I used extremely fine profiles, some no thicker than 3 mm. Thanks to my skill in cutting, I was able to work without any difficulties, even with such delicate leads.
The piece was mounted on a backlit lightbox, a feature that further enhances its visual impact. When I delivered it personally, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it would be exhibited alongside works by world-renowned artists like Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst. The client, delighted with the result, expressed his satisfaction and has already promised to contact me for future collaborations.
If you are interested in commissioning a Virgin, but not as provocative as this one, please visit the page dedicated to our religious stained glass windows.
