Bienvenida y Vaya Con Dios, (sculpture).

Bienvenida y Vaya Con Dios, (sculpture).

Alquilar, Maria, 1928-2014, sculptor.

Bienvenida y Vaya Con Dios, (sculpture).

Welcome and Go With God, (sculpture).

Commissioned Nov. 16, 1987. Completed 1988.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: ceramic, metal, and wood; Base: concrete and stone.

Sculpture: approx. 10-12 ft. x 9 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 9 in.; Base: 3 ft. x 9 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 9 in.

A doll-like Virgin of Guadalupe figure is attached to the front of a Saguaro cactus which has wire spines. The cactus and Virgin figure are surrounded by three metal concentric circles with bright metal leaves which form a halo encompassing the Virgin's shoulders and the top of the cactus. The Virgin figure is holding a child on the proper left of her bosom.

Below the feet of the Virgin figure is a Jackrabbit which faces proper left with three legs off the ground as if running. Also on this tier are figures of a prickley pear cactus, a snake, a reptile skeleton, a fish in a river, and a cross made of 2 sticks wrapped with wire and standing in a base of stones. On the back side of the cactus, a Spider monkey figure clings to the cactus.

On the second tier base is a Coyote facing forward on the proper left of the cactus, with its chin raised as if howling and it appears to be running. Below the coyote is a mermaid and a base made of ceramic tiles painted black and incised, creating mountains, waterfall, suns, stars, tic-tac-tow symbols, a Menorah and a spiral symbol. Surrounding the base are tiles with various life and death symbols, forming a lower tier. Beneath, stones are imbedded in cement.

Religion -- New Testament -- Mary

Object -- Foliage -- Cactus

Animal -- Reptile -- Snake

Animal -- Rabbit

Animal -- Monkey

Landscape -- Celestial -- Sun

Landscape -- Celestial -- Star

Landscape -- Desert

Literature -- Character -- Mermaid

Outdoor Sculpture -- Arizona -- San Luis

United States Port of Entry, South Court, San Luis, Arizona 85349

Commissioned under the General Services Administration's Art-in-Architecture program. IAS files contain a letter from the General Services Administration, a sheet explaining the artist's interpretation of the piece, and the Yuma Daily Sun article.

According to the artist's statement on file with GSA, this work is dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the Mexican people, who despite adversity continue to hope for the future of their children. Like the bigger than life Spirit Rabbit, the Mexican people can never be conquered. The Desert setting is a reality in Arizona and is also an analogy for the severity of life of the people. The harshness of the elements and cruelty of man cannot refute the beauty and strength of the land and its people.

The Coyote is magical and god like. He is the changer that makes the world habitable for mankind. The human form of the coyote, who leads aliens across the border, is sometimes the changer, sometimes the scoundrel, but always necessary for the journey. The Snake is the rattler of the desert, but also the serpent from paradise, encouraging the traveler to eat of the fruit of knowledge. The Pile Rocks with the Cross is in remembrance of the people who have passed out of this life -- their spirits remain with us.

The Saguaro is the most important symbol for life in the desert. It has life giving juices and is a home for animals and birds. Its cross-like shape makes an altar for Our Lady of Guadalupe at the top. She is a doll like figure such as one sees on altars in Mexico. Although she has no child of her own, she holds a Mexican baby. This represents all Mexican babies that she is asked to protect. The other charms represent charms which in Mexico are placed on altars to ask for miracle cures from the saints. The Mermaid is in the artist's likeness. In 1991, the artist replaced 8 pieces.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Arizona survey, 1992.

Yuma Daily Sun (Yuma, AZ), April 24, 1986.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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