 
                                    
                            
                            Graciela Iturbide Mexican, b. 1942
                                Colonia Libertad, Tijuana, Baja California, 1991
                            
                                    Silver Gelatin Print 
16 x 12 in
40.6 x 30.5 cm
                                    40.6 x 30.5 cm
                                   The photograph captures a mural of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a central figure of Mexican identity, on a wall covered with graffiti featuring the words 'TYJUAS,' which is a slang...
                        
                    
                                                    The photograph captures a mural of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a central figure of Mexican identity, on a wall covered with graffiti featuring the words "TYJUAS," which is a slang version of the city name Tijuana, reinforcing the notion of the border as a place of its own identity, neither entirely Mexican nor thoroughly American. The Virgin on the wall is a visual reminder of the Mexican presence and a symbol of protection and hope for those who pass through or live in this area. The artist doesn't simply document; she seeks the dignity and essence of her subjects. By focusing on a mural, the photograph shows how faith and culture are rooted in the urban landscape of the border and how these expressions are vital to the community's life.
                    
                    
                
