1754: Tcalāux / Dar a Luz, 2017
Medium: Serigraphy.
By 1754, political and socioeconomic factors were shaping the integration of native and foreign communities in south Texas, circumstances that would consequently give birth to a new Tejano culture.
This nine-color screen print (Tcalāux: "to give birth" in Coahuiltecan) presents an experience rather than an event, and aims to convey the idea of struggle and the unavoidable unification between Indigenous and Spanish opposing forces.
The Indigenous culture is personified by native fauna and flora of Texas, depicting a collared peccary or javelina, superimposed over a green background with a pattern of foliage and seedpods from the Mesquite Tree. The Spanish culture is personified by a canary mastiff or perro de presa canario, a natural symbol of the Canary Islands, superimposed over a blue background and a wave pattern representing the national motto of Spain– “Plus Ultra” or "Further Beyond."
By 1754, political and socioeconomic factors were shaping the integration of native and foreign communities in south Texas, circumstances that would consequently give birth to a new Tejano culture.
This nine-color screen print (Tcalāux: "to give birth" in Coahuiltecan) presents an experience rather than an event, and aims to convey the idea of struggle and the unavoidable unification between Indigenous and Spanish opposing forces.
The Indigenous culture is personified by native fauna and flora of Texas, depicting a collared peccary or javelina, superimposed over a green background with a pattern of foliage and seedpods from the Mesquite Tree. The Spanish culture is personified by a canary mastiff or perro de presa canario, a natural symbol of the Canary Islands, superimposed over a blue background and a wave pattern representing the national motto of Spain– “Plus Ultra” or "Further Beyond."
This piece was part of Common Currents: 1718-1767 in celebration of San Antonio's Tricentennial year.