Artist Talk & Closing Reception for Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of the Quiché through Illustration

Around 1000 A.D. in the present day country of Guatemala a highland Mayan people called the Quiche created in pictographic form a creation myth of the universe in which a pair of Hero Twins must descend into the Underworld to save the next and final generation of humanity.

The story is known as the Popol Vuh, or “Book of the People or Community”, and is the earliest body of literature of the Americas that we know of. Unfortunately, that first pictographic text was burned by the arrival of the Spaniards in 1524 and the mere mention of it was forbidden, and the story was driven underground for centuries.

Jaime Arredondo, artist, illustrator, scholar, and author of the illustrations in his exhibition now on view at the Irving Arts Center entitled, “Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of the Quiche”, will give an in-depth presentation on the Popol Vuh pointing out its most important features and moments that will enlighten viewers understanding of the exhibition and inspire greater exploration of this truly American story.

Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat from noon to 5PM
Irving Arts Center’s galleries are open for viewing free of charge during regular gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 PM.