Title
Diosa De Maiz
Creator
Description
Image is of a woman with plaited hair.
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Date
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Contributor
Annotation
This woodcut documents Ofelia Esparza’s printmaking skills and investment in Indigenous spirituality. Depicted in earthly tones, the facial portrait of the Corn Goddess (Diosa de Maize) signals the spiritual connection between agriculture and this food staple of the Americas. According to Esparza, maize is one of the major resources that helped to create Mexico’s Indigenous civilizations that cultivated corn in their homelands. Spanish colonists exported corn around the globe to increase their economy, but they initially overlooked the Indigenous knowledge that makes corn into an excellent source of plant protein. The artist conceived of the work as made entirely of maize, and she turned to a woodcut print to differentiate the colors and shapes of corn varieties. The use of texture and contrast are suggestive of various kernels which crown the figure’s head, extend like hair across her shoulders, and decorate her wrists. (Authors: Karen Mary Davalos with Karen Castellanos)
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