Artist explores murders of Juarez women with “˜tree of life’ altarpiece

Sunday afternoon, a series of on-campus events paying tribute to
the Maquiladores murders of Juarez came to a close with a lecture
introducing artist Veronica Castillo’s altarpiece
“Lamento por las Mujeres de Juarez (Elegy for the Women of
Juarez).”

More than 300 women in Mexico have been murdered over the past
10 years in what remains an unsolved mystery.

The altarpiece, which will be on display at the Fowler Museum of
Cultural History until Jan. 4, demonstrates not only
Castillo’s talent as an artist, but also speaks directly on
these mysterious murders that are quickly enraging citizens of
every country.

Castillo’s altarpiece depicting victims of the murders
with expressive clay figures hanging from tree branches, is
structured after a tree of life, a very common art form in Mexican
culture. These trees can take on almost any theme and be used for
any purpose. For many years, Castillo has produced many trees of
life exploring a variety of themes. “Lamento por las Mujeres
de Juarez,” however, is her first tree of life with a
controversial theme, created for the purpose of advocating social
justice.

“I do not want people to be under the illusion that all
trees of life are beautiful, because life itself is not always so
beautiful,” Castillo said.

Castillo’s elegy was created as other trees of life are
created: through a cooperative effort by family and friends.
Castillo belongs to a politically active group from San Antonio,
Texas, whose purpose is to promote social justice through its art.
The altarpiece was created by a sub-division of this group called
“Mujer Arte,” a band of extremely dedicated female
artists. Through the guidance and influence of Castillo, the group
created the altarpiece to provide a voice for the mothers of the
young victims.

During Castillo’s lecture, the artist explained the many
symbols she used to convey her political purpose. For example, her
use of women’s bodies illustrates how she believes society
views women: as just a body rather than a human being. Also, the
branches of the tree lean forward, signifying the weight of the
world falling on top of the mothers of the murdered women. There
are many other symbols and images within the piece that are
shocking and serve Castillo’s goal of presenting a cruel
reality.

Because “Lamento por las Mujeres de Juarez” is
simply an altarpiece, it is part of a bigger altar on display at
the museum dedicated to the murdered women of Juarez. Other
elements of the exhibit include shoes, candles, flowers and small
objects that reflect the personalities of the victims.

The altar was created so the young women would not be forgotten
during the Latin American holiday “Dia de los Muertos (Day of
the Dead).” During this time, families remember loved ones
who have died by celebrating their lives and deaths in a joyful
manner. Through this celebration, family members express the belief
that death is not to be feared and even challenge death by having
the living celebrate with the dead.

Castillo follows this tradition of remembering the dead by using
her artwork to raise awareness of the Juarez murders and,
hopefully, evoke change.

“(The altarpiece) is about the woman who is mutilated and
destroyed for simply being a woman,” she said.

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