Title: La Conquistadora/The Corn
Maiden/Deni Spider Woman
Medium: Oil;
22kt gold, sterling silver and copper metal leaf; antique
ceramic mosaic tile with 24k gold glazes; on vintage wood
planks of Ponderosa Pine wood panel reclaimed from a 1904 wood
mill forming a single panel.
Size: 42" wide x
60" tall
Year : 2005
Image Inspiration:
La Conquistadora is the country’s
oldest Madonna renowned in New Mexico and other parts of the
American Southwest. Often called “Our Lady of
Conquering Love”, La Conquistadora is the representation
of the peaceful accord the Spanish settlers eventually reached
with the Native American tribes in the region after decades of
warfare. Today the statue is ensconced in the Cathedral of St.
Frances in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
My ancestors were among the original
Spanish colonists in the Southwest. When I was a child, my
father created a grotto in our backyard featuring a Madonna,
around which he planted corn. I visited the chapel in the Taos
Pueblo in New Mexico and found a statue of La Conquistadora at
the center of the altar in a niche surrounded with a mural of
corn stalks. Inspired by that history, I’ve created the
image of La Conquistadora on a retablo (traditional altar form)
to include the symbols of the Native American
counterparts: The Pueblo Corn Maiden and the Deni Spider
Woman.
The model is Cedar White, daughter of
Kenneth White, member of the Deni tribe.
After my father died from Alzheimer's
Disease I was looking for the vision for a retablo to
honor both him and our ancestors. Within days of his funeral I
took a trip with my family to the Southwest to visit the
various town sites where our ancestors had lived. When I saw
the Madonna at the altar of the Taos Pueblo church, I knew I
had my vision. I’ve painted this retablo in honor of all
of my ancestors and as a blessing for an ever-increasing peace
between all peoples of the world.
Purchase this art or commission Cristina to create a retablo .
