La Coyolxāuhqui

My work explores the intersection of ancient mythology, cultural theory, and personal trauma. This piece is rooted in the Aztec myth of Coyolxāuhqui, the moon goddess whose name translates from Nahuatl as “Painted with Bells.” In the narrative, Coyolxāuhqui is violently dismembered by her newborn brother, the war god Huītzilōpōchtli, who scatters her limbs across the sky.

This myth forms the foundation of the "Coyolxauhqui imperative," a Chicana feminist theory developed by Gloria Anzaldúa. Anzaldúa uses the dismembered moon goddess as a metaphor for trauma and healing, arguing that systemic oppressions like racism, colonialism, and patriarchy violently shatter the identities of marginalized individuals. The "imperative" is the urgent internal call to face this pain, gather one's scattered pieces, and consciously reconstruct a new, whole self. For Anzaldúa, this cycle of fragmentation and rebirth is central to both spiritual healing and the grueling creative process of writing.

I created this piece during a time when I felt completely shattered, existing literally in pieces. I felt helpless against circumstances in my life that I could not control, realizing I had to learn how to live with them instead. This artwork showcases an ongoing healing journey. It reflects the process of learning how to sit with difficult emotions—feelings that are painful, but deeply human and necessary.

Coyolxāuhqui has become a quiet guide for the era I am currently living through, anchoring me through everything from intimate personal heartbreaks to the collective grief of our current world. Lately, the world can feel entirely lost. Daily news and social media serve as constant reminders of the atrocities that dehumanize our existence. This piece captures that profound sense of emotional shattering that anyone might experience. Ultimately, however, it stands as a reminder that we can rebuild ourselves, and that we must offer ourselves grace and love along the way.