Sangre Boliviana Main Menu

My inspiration for the Main Screen was the Cathedral for La Virgen de Guadalupe de Sucre, the official capital of Bolivia.

 When the Spanish conquered the Andes, they brought their religion and religious images. Because there were few Spanish artists in the colonies, the Spanish taught the mestizos and indigenous artists to paint and sculpt the religious artifacts needed for the churches. The Indigenous artists were never the main artists in these Guilds and were never allowed to sign their names to the artworks. 

Indigenous artists painted the Virgin's dress in the shape of a mountain, representing Pachamama, who is often represented as a mountain. Maria del Monte was surrounded by indigenous symbols of nature, such as flowers, feathers, stars, planets, candles, and jeweled ornaments. All of these objects have a particular meaning for the Indigenous Andean people but were rarely if ever, seen in European paintings. 

I visited the cathedral of Virgen de Guadalupe de Sucre many times. Looking at her, I saw the struggle of the Latin American people to determine their own future and the unique blend of indigenous and Spanish culture. Indigenous artists often represent the Virgin Mary and combine it with Pachamama to create the Virgin del Monte, the Virgin of the Mountains.

In the middle of the Main screen of "Sangre Boliviana," the Virgin de Guadalupe de Sucre is in her mountain dress, swirling out from a circle in whirling jewel colors. The rays that extend from her are the names of the links for the different works