The name Xola is inspired by the Xoloitzcuintle, the sacred dog of Mesoamerican tradition, revered as a guardian and guide to the spirit world. As a self-portrait sculpture, Xola embodies this guiding essence, reflecting my role as a bridge between realms: past and present, material and spiritual, seen and unseen. The sculpture is not only a symbol of loyalty, strength, and peace, but also a reminder of the deep connections between ancestry and identity, showing how the past continues to shape the present self.

Yet, Xola is also deeply personal, carrying not only ancestral weight but also my playful, rebellious spirit. Sculpted as a miniature version of myself—with a cheeky stance, a butt crack unapologetically showing, and a middle finger raised—Xola doesn’t just guide, she teases, provokes, and laughs. This sass and humor remind me that self-expression is not always solemn; it can also be mischievous, bold, and unfiltered. Just as the Xolo guided souls through the underworld, Xola guides me through the complexities of life with equal measures of defiance and joy.

By blending reverence with irreverence, tradition with play, Xola becomes a fuller reflection of who I am: a guardian, a bridge, a trickster, and a protector all at once. It is a reminder that honoring heritage also means embracing the whole self; serious and silly, sacred and profane, spiritual and human. In this way, Xola is both an homage to cultural continuity and a celebration of individuality, a portrait that refuses to be contained by one single definition