La Conquistadora

The Madonna, or Virgin Mary, has many titles around the world. Some titles are dogmatic, while others are poetic or descriptive; some change because of language or cultural needs in different geographical locations. Overall, the multiple titles and versions of the Madonna have allowed artists worldwide to develop thousands of interpretations of what today we know as the icon of the Virgin Mary.

Growing up in Mexico, one of the most devout Christian countries globally, Susana Ramos creates sculptures of the Virgin with sacred repurposed artifacts. Through her faith and the many titles and versions of the Madonna, Honold Ramos recreates the many faces of the Virgin every day. In her studio, she stores thousands of modern, antique, and ancient textiles from around the world and with stones and crowns she creates relics worthy of being a channel of prayers and good intentions.

Born in a Catholic family in 1962, surrounded by women that used their creativity to sew, knit, and paint. Susana wakes up every morning, and like a continuous prayer, she sculpts the Virgin Mary, every day different as her creativity allows. In 1990 she created her first sculpture of Our Lady of Guadalupe using vintage materials from her family, and she continued making Virgins as commissions for devout believers. Today her modern sculptures are in many museums, art collections, homes, churches, and chapels; they reflect her faith, and they color the spiritual world of Christian believers.

Exhibition history:

Oct 17, 2022- Mar 26, 2023. Domesticanx, Museo del Barrio, New York, NY.

Feb 4- Aug 13, 2023. Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory, UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley, CA.

Jun 18- Nov 6, 2022. Amalia Mesa-Bains: Venus Envy, Chapter I and Madrinas y Hermanas, SF MoMa, San Francisco, CA.

Oct 15- Mar 30, 2024. Baroque Madonna. Mexican Cultural Institute, Washington, DC.

Nov 5 - Mar 3, 2024, Archaeology of Memory, Phoenix Museum, Phoenix, Arizona.