Blanton

Michiko Furukawa painted the "Obsession de la Muerte." It was displayed in the abstract section of the Blanton Museum. The artist created this painting to symbolize the tree of life. In this painting there are “sequences of scenes depicting the Spanish...the Nahuatl people of Huextzinco.” (From Blanton Bio) Also, in this work of art you can see that there are birds scattered throughout the entire tree.



The birds are surrounding the various images of the dead. Beside each bird there is greenery, which leads me to believe that the intent of these images was to convey freedom and life. Birds have the ability to soar above us mere mortals. The images depicted were of the Spanish Conquistadors versus the Aztec Indians, a battle that would be better labeled a massacre. The birds give the appearance of light in the face of the darkness that we, humans, bring when we inflict pain and murder.



At the very center is an image of the Virgen de Guadalupe this is a symbol usually associated with Catholicism. “It is perhaps Mexico's most popular religious and cultural image, and the focus of an extensive pilgrimage.” [1] She is said to be the mother of Jesus. So, she is the one that gave birth to the tree and to all of mankind.

Furukawa painted a life, with the source of life at the center, which the Virgen de Guadalupe. Next, the birds were placed as guardians to watch over humans. Lastly, human skeletons were represented as being the most barbaric link in the tree of life. If you look closely you can see some of the skeletons murdering the indigenous people. Each time you can see a smile on the skinless faces on the Conquistadors.



1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe