Guapamacataro Art & Ecology Residency, Mexico

Site-based & community-oriented cultural initiative where artists, scientists, educators and activists converge to foster sustainable development.

During my art residency in Mexico last year, I had the unique opportunity to draw directly onto walls that had stood since the 1600s with charcoal I collected from local firepits. This experience allowed me to channel the vast inspiration and cultural insights I absorbed during my travels, in particular I was inspired by the traditionally hand painted signage, Museum of Archeology artifacts, and the cultural melting pot of spiritual and rebellious history overlayed through various occupations. As I worked, I reflected on the layers of belief and worship that have shaped this place over centuries.

Inspired by conversations with fellow artists from Europe, I explored local rituals involving shamans, where offerings to the gods—like a pineapple—are part of the ceremony. The blend of ancient traditions and modern quirks, like using Coca-Cola in religious practices, deeply influenced my work.

In the churches of San Juan Chamula, Coca-Cola is used as part of a syncretic religious ritual that blends indigenous Maya traditions with elements of Catholicism. The ritual involving Coca-Cola is linked to the belief that the carbonated beverage helps to expel evil spirits from the body. Participants drink the soda during ceremonies, and the act of burping is seen as a way to release these negative energies or spirits.

The use of Coca-Cola, for example, is a fascinating example of how global products can be integrated into local spiritual practices, creating a blend of ancient traditions and modern elements. The practice also highlights the adaptability of cultural rituals in response to changing circumstances and influences.

The residency also sparked a powerful response to gender roles in rituals, leading me to create a bold depiction of a woman in a wolf's coat, symbolising strength and defiance. I’ve included a few photographs from the trip prior that inspired these works. This artwork was also references the subversive sculptures by Chinese artistic hero of mine, Ai Weiwei.