Tlazolteotl (Birthing Figure) 

Editor: Here we have a marble sculpture, Tlazolteotl, sometimes called "Birthing Figure." Its origins trace back to Aztec art of the Indigenous Americas. Looking at her, I’m struck by how raw and unflinching the depiction is. The strained face, the position... It’s visceral. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Visceral is the word, isn't it? To me, it whispers stories of intense, primal energy. Imagine the sculptor, intuitively understanding and honoring the divine feminine through this labor. I see not just the physical act of birth, but a metaphor for creation, transformation, the relentless cycle of life and death, guilt and forgiveness. I’d venture to say this sculpture presents Tlazoteotl in her guise as a deity of childbirth; she holds a newborn infant within her birth canal! A newborn. Editor: The life-death cycle idea is very apparent here. Her pose, squatting like that, feels so grounded, so rooted to the earth, while the expression is otherworldly. Does her face mean something specific? Curator: Ah, the face! I’ve spent days contemplating that very expression! There's the obvious… strain, exertion, possibly even pain, as childbirth is physically painful and spiritually taxing; or it could even suggest some measure of relief at what is a long journey. And yet, I also sense a fierce determination, an unwavering focus on the miracle unfolding. What I'm really seeing in this statue, this expression, is both the individual challenge, and shared burden, for all the humans, especially women, that are able to reproduce to keep our species alive! You tell me - is she tired? Empowered? Or a little bit of both? Editor: That’s… a lot to think about. The idea of shared burden makes you feel less alone, as it is universally challenging for most. I can’t unsee this new meaning now, like this art shows its true self only after we've learned. Curator: Exactly! The more you let art surprise you, the richer your relationship becomes. Editor: Well, I'm sure I'll be back with more artwork. Thanks.