DepartmentHispano
2020 Altar Vison
NameAltar
Maker
Arthur Lopez
(born 1971)
CultureHispano
Date3/14/2020
Place madeSanta Fe, New Mexico, United States, North America
MediumWood, paint; Pine, rabbit hide gesso, pine sap varnish and grain alcohol, beeswax coat, jelutong, natural water-based pigments (cochineal, madder, walnut, yellow ochre, indigo, Persian blue, liquid chrome)
Dimensions56 × 36 × 12 1/4 in. (142.2403 × 91.4402 × 31.1151 cm)
Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Museum Purchase, A.2020.68.1
Object numberA.2020.68.1
Collections
Inspired by the pandemic, Altar Vision 2020 references home as a safe
place. The kitchen sink becomes the new altar, its sanctity reinforced
with hand sanitizer and soap. Saint Catherine of Siena, the patroness
of health care, and San Roque, protector of victims of the plague,
add further protection from the virus that is visible floating outside
the kitchen window. The computer image of San Vicente de Zaragoza,
patron saint of wine, signifies the new phenomenon of the virtual
happy hour. The inclusion of a bottle of Corona beer plays on the
misunderstood fear of the word corona which is Spanish for “crown.”
A new image created by the artist is La Santa Corona. Pictured here
with her coronavirus resplandor and PPE dress, she was created in
honor of health care workers and their dedication to help those who
have suffered or succumbed to the virus. She adorns the top of the
altar, reinforcing the safety and sanctity of home but ever present
in case she is needed in this time of emergency (from exhibition label text).
