Luz Calvo's Our Lady Of Controversy

The book “Our Lady of Controversy” edited by Alicia Gaspar de Alba and Alma Lopez addresses many prevalent issues that were raised when Queer Chicana artist Alma Lopez showcased her reinterpretation of the iconic archetype of La Virgen de Guadalupe at the museum of International Folk Art in 2001 CyberArte. The book consist of short essays from scholars that analyzed the controversy through the context of religion, feminism, art and censorship, colonialism, queer theory, and Chicanx history. These short essays consist of many issues that are relevant today. Although, many of the archbishops and protestors believed Alma Lopez recreation of the Virgen of Guadalupe was offensive to the Catholic Church, nevertheless, her recreation of La Virgen challenges the patriarchal ideals of the Catholic Church through art by portraying an image that appeals to all progressive women of …show more content…
For instance, “The Virgen of Guadalupe is a polyvalent sign, able to convey multiple and divergent meanings and deployed by different groups for contradictory political ends” (Calvo, 96). Calvo states that the Virgen of Guadalupe signifies multiple meanings to multiple communities. As a result, suggesting the Virgen of Guadalupe is universal to all for everyone to interpret in infinite ways. For example, the Catholic Church uses the image to oppress and divide women. Conversely, the Progressive movement use the image as a symbol of resistance and patriotism. Whereas, most women identify with the figure. Therefore, no one has any authority in what Lupe symbolizes to women of color. The Virgen of Guadalupe is a significant in Chicanx history and she is meant to be utilized in various ways that is significant for a community who praise