Cardboard, paper mache, acrylic, canvas, spray paint, sand

This sculpture was installed at the Mexican Cultural Institute as part of a Xolo-themed exhibition curated by Monica Walker.

It serves as a tribute to those who cross the borderlands and are lost along the way. The piece tells the story of the Xoloitzcuintli (Xolo – Dog) greeting a skeleton in the afterlife. In ancient Aztec culture, Xolos were believed to guide souls through the underworld, acting as guardians for both the living and the departed. I chose shades of lavender and pink to evoke the gentle and comforting nature of this journey.

I want to thank @avocado.mariposa for helping craft these sculptures.

I am also deeply grateful to Edna Lugo, Bexar Area Harm Reduction Coaltion, and Nomas Arte Studios for generously donating the materials that brought this work to life.