José Luis Guzmán
Location: Mayslake Peabody Estate
Hometown: Oaxaca, Mexico
JOSE LUIS HERNANDEZ GUZMAN is an Illustrator born in Salina Cruz Oaxaca in 1977, son of a Zapotec mother and a Nahuatlaca father from the state of Mexico. He migrated to Mexico City when he was a child. He decides to study a degree in Design and Visual Communication at the FAD of the Autonomous University of Mexico, with the intention of expressing his root culture and urban daily life through illustration, creating hybrid characters. His work shows the origin, the root, and the need to preserve memory, ideas, and love so that young people and children recognize themselves through the image. He earned a bachelor's degree in Design and Visual Communication (with a focus on Illustration) from the Faculty of Art and Design, formerly ENAP, at UNAM from 2000-2006. He also completed a diploma in Illustration at the Academy of San Carlos, UNAM, in 2017.
Title of Work: Birth Tree
Description of work: This piece takes its influence from the story of the Apoala tree of the Mixtecs: “In the middle of the town of the river that starts (Apoala), a sabino tree was born, and from this two people were born; A Man and a Woman. These were the ones who founded the Mixtec towns, so says the paper (history), which was written by men who know or were wise.
The story starts at the back. From the earth woman a tree is born, which in turn gives life to the men and women who will populate this earth. On its side, there is a lizard man who protects and provides the necessary conditions for this birther; On the other side, we see the presence of death who grants the vital breath that will give rise to this cycle of births and deaths. On the sides there are several characters that represent the community who accompany and reinforce this symbolic act with their presence. At the top of this head, the essences are located, masculine-sun, feminine-moon, which represent the passing of the days and vital time. Finally, the face is painted with geometry that recalls the main god of the Zapotecs called Cocijo. The faces represented in the upper part (left) refer to the representation of the Mixtec god called Dzahui, Dzavui or Savi, which is the name given to the God of Rain. On the other side (right) is a representation of the Bat god of Zapotec origin, and which is associated with the Underworld.
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Timeline of Events
Artists in Mexico have begun painting and 15 national artists will arrive in May of 2024 to paint 15 heads here in DuPage County on-site at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage. This exciting international exhibition has already begun and will be completed in June of 2024.
Get Involved!
Artists can only participate by way of a sponsorship. Local, state and private institutions in the US or Mexico are invited to join in this unique opportunity to showcase modern-day murals reflecting Mexican American culture and regional interpretational art. We are confident that by participating in this project as a sponsor, you will be fulfilling the mission of your organization. Sponsors will be a part of a once in a lifetime opportunity to collaborate with multiple entities and organizations around North America, which can bring more awareness and support to your organization’s efforts. We are working together for one cultural, artistic, and educational purpose that will bring so many people together in a very unique way. Additionally, you will be supporting one of your local artists taking part in a major career opportunity that promises unique experiences, enhancement of their artistic skills, and a chance to display their talents on a monumental canvas. What an amazing opportunity!