Einar and Jamex de la Torre American and Mexican, b. 1963 and 1960
Coyote de Almas, 2026
Blown glass, wood sculpture, mixed media
51 x 17 x 12 in
129.5 x 43.2 x 30.5 cm
129.5 x 43.2 x 30.5 cm
Further images
The titular Psychopomp, Coyote de Almas, serves as a guardian for souls traversing between worlds—a name that references “coyotes,” the guides who assist migrants across the southern U.S. border. This...
The titular Psychopomp, Coyote de Almas, serves as a guardian for souls traversing between worlds—a name that references “coyotes,” the guides who assist migrants across the southern U.S. border. This four-foot-tall figure possesses a vibrant persona, crowned with cacti and wielding a staff, while a lamb rests safely beneath his arm. As a psychopomp, he directs spirits toward their final afterlife destination, a role that reflects the spirit guides prevalent in ancient myths about the beyond. Einar de la Torre notes that many cultures employ an “usher” deity for this transition, often involving a symbolic crossing, such as a bridge or river. He explains that they have interpreted this deity as a Nahual, or “spirit animal,” deeply connected to our own physical and animal existence.
