Barrio Viejo

What Do The Images Mean?

Dec 26, 2001

By Erin Evangelist Nasewytewa & Julio Bernal


This mural is entitled, ?“In Loving Memory?…?” and was created as a memorial to all the mothers in our community who have lost their children. The image?’s central figure represents the Aztec goddess, Tonantzin, mother earth. The Membrillo trees, one on the left with the quince fruit and one on the right in bloom, symbolize the cycles of life. The rattle represents our cultural heritage and the image behind the goddess is the Aztec Calendar, which represents the Sun.

Throughout history mothers have lost their children to acts of violence. This is our way of memorializing our loved ones. Every youth who worked on this mural has lost a loved one and art is a way for them to express their grief and their hope.

This mural is in honor of Peter Valenzuela Jr., Richie Lofton, and Carlos Edwards.