Sydney Romero
In this series of 30 (6" x 6") pieces (The Michlantecuhtli Collection), I explore the essence of Mictlantecuhtli, the Mexica god of death, through glyphs, symbols, and sequences. These artworks serve as portals to the ancient Mexica world, reflecting the deity's role in the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Each symbol is meticulously chosen for its cultural and spiritual significance. This collection pays tribute to the rich heritage of the Mexica, inviting viewers to reflect on life's transience and the beauty within the inevitability of death. It encourages an intimate engagement with Mexica mythology, offering a narrative on mortality and the preservation of memory through art. By capturing Mictlantecuhtli's essence, this series not only demystifies death but celebrates the guardian of life's cycle. It stands as a reminder of myth's power and art's ability to immortalize the past, making the unseen seen and the forgotten remembered. This collection is inspired by the Codex Borgia, a vital pre-Columbian Mesoamerican manuscript. This pictorial document, used in rituals and divinations, is rich in symbolic imagery and showcases the ancient understanding of the universe. It resides in the Vatican Library.