Indigenous Illustrators Shine in Xospa's Virtual Exhibition
Freelance illustrator and editor Isela Xospa marked the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples by sharing works of young indigenous artists. The day is not about celebrating labels or exoticisms, but recognizing attempts to erase indigenous cultures. Xospa's virtual exhibition, 'FROM MY WINDOW - Sehnsucht eines Künstlers in Quarantäne', featured a diverse range of indigenous artists. Cuauhtémoc Wetzka, a graphic designer and artist from the Nahua community in Veracruz, showcased his work alongside other notable artists like Anna Schürrle, Claudia Biskup, Michael Sowa, and Oliver Schlemmer. The exhibition highlighted the ongoing creation of narratives for children, young people, and adults from native populations. David Canul, an artist from the Mayan territory of Campeche, and Gilberto Kupyum, an indigenous artist from Tlahuitoltepec Mixe, Oaxaca, working with various media, were among those featured. Mitzy Juárez, an artist from the Chocholteco Ngiba indigenous tribe in Oaxaca, drew inspiration from her community's knowledge and traditions. Vics Gaspar Teodocio, a Zapotec artist from San Melchor Betaza, Oaxaca, focused on women's empowerment in his work. Valentín Peralta Betanzos, a Mazatec indigenous artist from Eloxochitlán de Flores Magón, Oaxaca, also contributed to the exhibition. The exhibition, curated by Xospa, aimed to celebrate and preserve indigenous cultures. It demonstrated the resilience and vibrancy of indigenous art, challenging the erasure of these communities' identities. Through their work, these artists continue to tell their stories and share their unique perspectives with the world.
