La Papisa
(2012)
Oil
and metal leaf on panel 24” x 47”
“La Papisa” (the Popess) is a retablo painting inspired after the image of Mexican nun and poet, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz,
who lived during colonial times and considered to be one of the first
feminists in the Americas. Connecting
her image to that of “The Popess”, the second major Arcana from the Tarot,
presents an opportunity to address the empowered feminine archetype. The original Tarot card for "The Popess" served as an anti-papal satire and it alludes to the legendary Pope Joan who ascended through the male dominated ranks of the Church and became the first and only female pope in history. In defiance of the Patriarchal Church, “La Papisa” stands for her
right to learn, read, write, speak her mind freely and even become a beacon of
knowledge for the rest of humanity while freeing herself from the imposed religious
institutions and traditions that for so long have defined her. This piece
departs from colonial painter Miguel Cabrera’s painting of Sor Juana in her
library with a book on her lap but adds in other elements evocative of
contemporary technology and pop culture as well natural elements with symbolic
meaning.
La Papisa
(detail)
A miniature replica of Delacroix’s “Liberty leading the people" is
shown in the laptop screen sitting on the table. Two little angels hover above
the protagonist and are about to crown her with a papal tiara that shows a
lunar symbol instead of a cross on top.
Beside them, two Tarot cards depict different interpretations of the
same archetypal figure. Above them, two satellite dishes (receptive symbols for
communication) point towards an image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel within a
mandorla.
La Papisa
(detail top)
In the predella below, we encounter three plates depicting two
goddesses (Pallas Athena and Vesta or Hestia) from classical mythology and a
central narrative depicting women artists, musicians, spiritual leaders and
activists with the statue of Lady Liberty in the background. Below an
inscription in Spanish reads: “Leer, Rezar, Expresar, Dar, Observar,
Manifestar” (Read, Pray, Express, Give, Observe, Manifest). A scroll on the
main composition above is in Greek, Latin and Hebrew and it reads: “Sofia (Wisdom)
Sapientia Fortitudo et quoque Sanctitatem iacet infra nos (discernment,
Strength and Sanctity are found within us) Shekinah (Feminine blessing of God).
La Papisa
(detail of lower part or predella)
The idea of having the message from this piece be hidden or veiled relates
directly to the archetype depicted. The feminine approach to knowledge can
often be through Intuition or mystical practices that can evade mechanistic
male reasoning. Every one of us can access the feminine, lunar, intuitive and
mystical ways of understanding the world because the feminine aspect is
ingrained as the anima in our psyche.
The books, fish in a bowl, animal skull and roses reflect on theses mysterious
archetypal qualities.
La Papisa
(Central Panel)
This retablo painiting will be on display along with other 19 pieces on my upcoming exhibition. "Devocionales: Neo-colonial retablos from an archetypal perspective" at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, from September 13th thru December 1st 2013. For more information visit www.mesaartscenter.com.. To see more of my work you may also visit Jane Sauer Gallery in Santa Fe, NM.
