
Einar and Jamex de la Torre
Los que Vienen, 2024
Blown glass and mixed media sculpture
16 x 12 x 3 in
40.6 x 30.5 x 7.6 cm
40.6 x 30.5 x 7.6 cm
In 'Los que Vienen,' the centerpiece of the work is a mandorla (in religious art, an almond-shaped aureole of light surrounding the figure of a holy person) with fiery rays....
In "Los que Vienen," the centerpiece of the work is a mandorla (in religious art, an almond-shaped aureole of light surrounding the figure of a holy person) with fiery rays. The composition reminds us of the Virgin of Guadalupe image but lacks the human form. The Virgin of Guadalupe is replaced by scattered eyeballs, inviting viewers to reevaluate perceptions of Catholicism. Victorian cameo brooches are placed atop car figurines, commenting on the overconsumption and opulence of the upper class. This can also be seen with the female effigy turned faced down, curtsying in submission. The entire sculpture is mounted on a silver platter, creating a multi-layered retrospection criticizing “the absurd pageantry of Catholicism and machismo” apparent in Mexico and the class dynamics of Mexico and the US.