Sew Loka featured in Mingei Museum's "Icons Among Us" Stories entry (6/10/25)

Now on view at Mingei, Fashioning an Icon: Virgin of Guadalupe Imagery in Textile Design celebrates her representation on clothing and adornment. The Virgin of Guadalupe has been a subject of Catholic devotional practice and a muse of artistic expression for over 400 years. This exhibition emphasizes the connection between clothing and cultural identity, inviting visitors to think about the power and endurance of images we encounter, engage with, and even wear, in our daily lives.

Three makers present in the show, textile artist Claudia Rodríguez-Biezunski, piñata artist Diana Benavídez, and photographer Arianna Ytselle, bring forth new interpretations of la Virgen in their own mediums.

How do you define an icon?

Claudia Rodríguez-Biezunski: For me, an icon is something that carries deep meaning and instantly connects with people's hearts and memories. It could be a symbol, an image, or even a phrase that represents something bigger than itself. An icon authentically represents who you are at your core, and what makes icons recognizable is their ability to tell a story without words—like how the Virgin of Guadalupe on a jacket immediately speaks to our cultura, our faith, and our identity. Icons stand out because they're raw and unapologetic; they don't try to be anything other than what they are.

"Icons stand out because they're raw and unapologetic..."

Photo by Ron Kerner featuring Claudia Rodríguez-Biezunski

Click HERE to read the rest of the “Icons Among Us” Stories entry. Thank you Mingei Museum!!!!

Photo by Ron Kerner featuring Claudia Rodríguez-Biezunski

Claudia BiezunskiComment