Book: Arroyo, Mexican Skull

Synopsis:

*Arroyo, Calavera Mexicana* is an artist’s book written in Spanish and English, divided into two parts. The first part is the catalog for Perla Arroyo’s sculpture series of the same name, consisting of six bronze pieces created using the lost-wax technique. Each sculpture pays homage to key symbols and figures in Mexican history and culture, such as the Tehuana, the Xoloitzcuintle, Coatlicue, Coyolxauhqui, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and the iconic duo of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. These figures invite us to reflect on the duality of life and death, which is central to the pre-Hispanic worldview.

The second part of the book offers a historical overview of the use of the skull symbol in Mexican art, from its emergence in Mesoamerican cultures to its significance in modern and contemporary art. Rooted in Nahuatl philosophy, this book connects the past with the present, opening a dialogue about Mexican identity and meaning through the author’s sculpture.