The Dance of the Iguana and Dzul Cutz

Technique: Acrylic and oil

Support: Fabric

Measurement: 100 x 80 cm

Date: October 2023

Price $2,100 USD

My pictorial work, which fuses an iguana and a peacock in a contemporary alebrije, is a truly profound and meaningful expression that captures essential elements of the Mayan culture and its worldview. Here is a review for this unique work of art:

Artwork Title: "The Dance of the Iguana and Dzul Cutz (the Peacock)”

"The Dance of the Iguana and Dzul Cutz" is a masterpiece of creativity that takes viewers on a magical and reflective journey through the Mayan worldview. In this piece, the artist Erika Alfiero combines the tradition of the alebrije with a contemporary vision, revealing the deep wisdom and beauty of Mayan culture.

At the heart of the artwork stands the iguana, a Mayan symbol of alertness, prevention, and boundless joy. This contemplative creature radiates acceptance and the joy of living, reminding us that there is no need to rush in the natural world. The iguana is the guardian of the cycles of sunrise and sunset, embodying the energy 6 of the Mayan lunar calendar: balance. As the wisest among the wise, the iguana, by gazing at the sun, takes on a mystical character and urges us to cease our complaints, embrace the magnificent order of our world, and feel alive with everything.

The other part of the alebrije is the peacock, Dzul Cutz, number 5 in the lunar calendar, with the energy of resources and empowerment, a symbol of integrity and beauty in Mayan culture. It represents spirituality, awakening, and immortality, with its plumage symbolizing the celestial vault and the eyes of the stars. The peacock guides us to walk in life with faith and confidence, accepting our own nobility.

In this artwork, the alebrije holds a dreamcatcher in its claw, within which the Maya butterfly, Hunab Ku, the Supreme Mayan God, flies freely. This symbolism is powerful, as the dreamcatcher, the butterfly, and the alebrije itself come together to convey a message of hope, beauty, and connection with the divine.

"The Dance of the Iguana and the Peacock" is an extraordinary example of how art can blend the traditional with the contemporary, leading us to profound reflection on the cultural richness of the Mayans and their unique worldview. Through this work, Erika invites us to embrace joy, wisdom, and spirituality found in harmony with nature and the cosmos."