This series of acrylic paintings was inspired by a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. The mysterious pyramids of Monte Alban, the sunlit doorways of the Spanish conquest, the female spirit of blue corn seeds (Chicomecoatl) and a view over modern-day Oaxaca are pictured in four triptychs. In 2009 the Mexican Government approved the planting of Monsanto corn in six northern states. Other biotech multinationals also wanted to plant millions of acres of transgenic maize. This would result in the destruction of indigenous blue corn and wreak havoc on the population. In each triptych the theme of “Seeds” is repeated in the text – Seeds of Time, Seeds of Change, Blue Seeds (of corn) and Seeds of Light. In three of the triptychs, fused glass pocket vases hold seeds of corn, while the modern view over Oaxaca features drops of glass “seeds”.
OAXACA – PYRAMIDS OF MONTE ALBAN #1, acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″ 
OAXACA – PYRAMIDS OF MONTE ALBAN #2, acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″ 
OAXACA – PYRAMIDS OF MONTE ALBAN #3, acrylic painting on canvas with fused glass pocket vase filled with corn, 16″ x 20″ 
OAXACA – DOORWAYS OF THE SPANISH CONQUEST #1, acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″ 
OAXACA – DOORWAYS OF THE SPANISH CONQUEST #2, acrylic on canvas with fused glass pocket vase filled with corn, 16″ x 20″ 
OAXACA – DOORWAYS OF THE SPANISH CONQUEST #3, acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″ 
CHICOMECOATL, THE FEMALE SPIRIT OF BLUE CORN #1, acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″ 
CHICOMECOATL, THE FEMALE SPIRIT OF BLUE CORN #2, acrylic on canvas with fused glass pocket vase filled with corn, 16″ x 20″ 
CHICOMECOATL, THE FEMALE SPIRIT OF BLUE CORN #3, acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″ 
OAXACA – OVERVIEW OF THE CITY #1, acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″ 
OAXACA – OVERVIEW OF THE CITY #2, acrylic on canvas with fused glass inclusions, 16″ x 20″ 
OAXACA – OVERVIEW OF THE CITY #3, acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″
All images and text © Marlene Herbst, 2025
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