Virgen de la Defensa by Susana Ramos

Discovery

Susana Ramos
Virgen de la Defensa, 2022
Extra Large
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01 2022
Virgen de la Defensa
Familia Fuentes, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
Size: Extra Large
Year: 2022

Materials:

Veil/Mantle: Spanish mantilla.
Crown: Crown from New Mexico with Swarovski crystals.
Halo: Mexican brass halo adorned with Swarovski crystals.
Crucifix/Rosary: Antique imitation ivory crucifix worn beneath the guimpe.
Earrings/Belt: Mexican filigree earrings.
Belt: made from Susana's vintage book link bracelet composed of multicolored cabochon stones, paired with a religious stole and an antique filigree necklace.
Dress: Antique religious chasuble embroidered with goldstone, and a cape lined with satin-finished cotton from an antique chasuble, featuring Alençon lace, pearl embroidery, and 1920s metallic flower appliqués.

Label text:

This Madonna is a representation of the Virgen de la Defensa, patron virgin of Jalisco. Among the materials that compose the sculpture, the Madonna is covered in a draped traditional Spanish mantilla. She is graced with a crown from New Mexico adorned with Swarovski crystals and with a Mexican brass halo, also embellished with Swarovski crystals. Beneath her guimpe lies an antique imitation ivory crucifix, a hidden symbol of faith. The Madonna wears intricate Mexican filigree earrings, and her waist is cinched with a unique belt crafted from Susana’s vintage book link bracelet featuring multicolored cabochon stones. This belt is harmoniously paired with a religious stole and an antique filigree necklace, creating a blend of personal history and sacred symbolism. Her dress is a stunning antique religious chasuble, meticulously embroidered with goldstone, and complemented by a cape lined with satin-finished cotton from another antique chasuble. The ensemble is further enhanced with Alençon lace, pearl embroidery, and metallic flower appliques from the 1920s. Susana Ramos expertly weaves together diverse elements of different time periods crafting family relics that evoke a long tradition of family devotion.

Other Work From Susana Ramos

Divina Infanta, Guadalupe Baby by Susana Ramos — Divina Infanta, Guadalupe Baby

Nuestra Señora de la Puerta del Amanecer (Russian Icon Madonna) by Susana Ramos — Nuestra Señora de la Puerta del Amanecer (Russian Icon Madonna)

Nuestra Señora del Rosario by Susana Ramos — Nuestra Señora del Rosario

Nuestra Señora de la Sagrada Eucaristía by Susana Ramos — Nuestra Señora de la Sagrada Eucaristía

Virgen del Carmen with Child by Susana Ramos — Virgen del Carmen with Child

Virgen del Rosario by Susana Ramos — Virgen del Rosario

Monja Coronada by Susana Honold Ramos — Monja Coronada

Virgen de Izamal by Susana Ramos — Virgen de Izamal

Virgen de Guadalupe II by Susana Ramos — Virgen de Guadalupe II

See all artwork from Susana Ramos

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.

Sept 20 - Feb 12, 2025, Amalia Bains: Archaeology of Memory, San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, Texas.

Susana Ramos

San Diego, CA

Other Work From Susana Ramos