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Bien Venida y Vaya Con Dios by Maria Alquilar
Photo CreditPhoto courtesy of McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc.
Bien Venida y Vaya Con Dios
Photo CreditPhoto courtesy of McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc.

Bien Venida y Vaya Con Dios

Artist
Year1987
Classification sculpture
Medium ceramic, metal, wood, concrete and stone
Dimensions180 x 114 x 114 in. (457.2 x 289.6 x 289.6 cm)
Credits Commissioned through the Art in Architecture Program
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Location

  • Maria Alquilar imbued her artwork "Bien Venida y Vaya Con Dios" (English translation: "Welcome and Go With God") with spiritual themes. This multi-tiered sculpture depicts plant and animal life within a mystical, surreal setting.

    Alquilar described the sculpture in detail:

    "This work is dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the Mexican people, who despite adversity continue to hope for the future of their children. Like the bigger-than-life Spirit Rabbit, the Mexican people can never be conquered. Despite adversity, they hope, work, and live.

    "The Desert setting is a reality here in Arizona and is also an analogy for the severity of the life of the people. The harshness of the elements and the cruelty of man cannot refute the beauty and strength of the land and its people.

    "The Coyote is magical and god-like. He is the changer that makes the world habitable for mankind. In his more human form, he is sly, a scoundrel, and disturber. The human form of the Coyote, who leads aliens across the border, has these characteristics as well —
    sometimes the changer, sometimes the scoundrel, but always necessary for the journey.

    "The Snake is the rattler of the desert, but also the serpent from paradise, encouraging the traveler to eat of the fruit of knowledge that oftentimes leads them to a more sophisticated hell than that which they have left.

    "The Pile of Rocks with the Cross is in remembrance of the people who have passed out of this life —
    their spirits remaining with us.

    "The Saguro is the most important symbol for life in the desert. It has life-giving juices and is a home for animals and birds. Its cross-like shape makes an altar for Our Lady of Guadalupe at the top. She is a charm, a doll-like figure, such as one sees on altars in Mexico. Although she has no child, she holds a Mexican baby, who represents all Mexican babies that she is asked to protect. The other charms represents personal charms, which in Mexico are placed on altars to ask for miracle cures from the saints.

    "The Spider Monkey is commonly found along Southwestern borders and in Mexico.

    "The Mermaid appears often in Mexican art. She is in the artist's likeness, perhaps as a signature for the work which she forgot to sign."