A Vital Matters Perspective: Corn in Many Forms: Multiplicity in Representation

Corn in Many Forms: Multiplicity in Representation

Minerva Carillo de la Cruz speaks to the deep spiritual and cultural significance of corn within her community, describing it as more than sustenance—it's a sacred being, a compass of ancestral knowledge, and a source of identity. Through food, art, and symbolism—like earrings, paintings, and even the restaurant's logo—corn is venerated and shared with others as a way of honoring tradition. Artists across mediums portray corn in many forms, often as a feminine figure that must be cared for and protected. Carillo emphasizes that for her people, corn is vital and irreplaceable: it exists in many colors and carries profound stories, and its loss would mean the disappearance of an entire way of life. The reverence for corn, expressed through both culinary and creative expression, is a testament to its central role in Indigenous culture and continuity.

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1 ARTWORK

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José Benítez Sánchez

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Untitled

José Benítez Sánchez

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v0064

v0073

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Untitled

José Benítez Sánchez

p008

p009

p010

p011

p012

p013

p014

p015

p016

p017

t001

t002

t009

t005

t003

t004

t008

t007

t006

v0077

v0044

v0048

v0043

v0046

v0061

v0039

v0076

v0045

v0085

v0071

v0062

v0047

v0042

v0056

v0059

v0079

v0049

v0041

v0080

v0072

v0081

v0038

v0054

v0057

v0068

v0052

v0058

v0070

v0053

v0063

v0065

v0060

v0074

v0075

v0040

v0083

v0064

v0073

v0084

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v0067

v0082

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v0078

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1 PERSON

Minerva

Carrillo de la Cruz

Director of Indigenous Affairs

City of Tepic, Nayarit

Minerva

Carrillo de la Cruz

Director of Indigenous Affairs

City of Tepic, Nayarit

Minerva

Carrillo de la Cruz

Director of Indigenous Affairs

City of Tepic, Nayarit

Copyright © 2025 Fowler Museum.

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2025 Fowler Museum.

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2025 Fowler Museum.

All Rights Reserved.