With fortitude, I survived a peritonitis that almost took my life and I survived in an ICE detention centre where I lived in the last years. I was seeing dehumanisation of people for more than 19 months. ICE is a system created and used to psychologically torture human beings who fall into their claws. I thank God for sending me health and freedom.

Aristoteles, 2020

Virgin of Guadalupe, I offer you this exvoto so you intercede for me. I’m about to turn 40, keep on being bachelor, living at my parents’ house and dream to live from my art. As you see, I need a miracle. Nothing impossible for God. He gives a partner, roof and sustenance for little birds. Emmanuel Espin painted it, with faith.

December 12, 2021

Lordy, thank you form blessing us with Edam cheese thanks to which I can enjoy my marquesitas every week.

Jaircito

— You know Silvia, this is Zalo’s doggy, it appeared on the news.

This retablo is going to be dedicated to those two neighbors who were spending their evening smoking near the grocery store and saw my dog Rocky who had been lost for seven days when I got my seven toes amputated as an effect of diabetes. I thank CHV (Chilean Television) for recording the exact moment of the epiphany. Thanks God!

Zalo Reyes, October 2010
Conchali, Santiago, Chile

I asked my husband not to take this road, but he did. Thank God, I had some good wine which helped me to get rid of bad thoughts and I behave like an angel.

I thank God because he sent me an angel.

My brother Eduardo Davila was working at a building construction and fell off the roof. I saw him falling and entrusted him to God to save his life, in spite of falling from up high. But he continued to fall and broke his neck and fell on the lady who was selling tacos, and she lost the use of her legs after the blow.

Gulliermo Davila, August 16, 1974

On my way back from work, I was kidnapped by some bastards. Finding myself in a deadly danger, I entrusted myself to God asking him not to let something bad happen to me. I was able to untie myself and, with their first slip-up, ran away. I didn’t care that I was naked, because in that way I saved my life.

Damaris M.
Santa Fe, Mexico, February 10, 2015

Blessed God, I offer you this retablo for not letting me die when I drank that damned poison after having got an illness that looks like aids. I could’t stand the idea of dying from it, I got scared and that’s why I took this decision. But I was saved, and I was told the news that there’s a cure from my illness.

L. F. C. Yovana — Mexico City, 1980

I, Fabian, went to buy 2 stellas, 2 santa emilianas and a six-pack of becker. When I left the liquor shop, my bag got broken and the bottles fell down on the ground in the presence of the people. That’s how God works. I give infinite thanks to Robert Powell for this miracle. I picked up the bottles and went to tell my father about it.

Av. La Serena, Good Friday 2021

I, Emmanuel Espin PIneda, give thanks to God for my life and because I was planted in a beautiful garden. I hope my fruits would be good, because you are God who makes a dry tree flourish. I finished painting this exvoto in front of the Tree of Tule in Santa Maria, Oaxaca. Mexico, 2020.

Notes:
Tree of Tule

I thank the Archangel of the Neighborhood for the luck of meeting on my path these great women who earn their living by selling pleasures on the streets of Merced. They have inspired me to paint their stories and experiences in this old profession. God bless them, support and always protect them—wholeheartedly asks you this humble neighborhood artist Alfredo Vilchis Roque.

Corner of the miracles, Minas de Cristo, Mexico City

Elena Villa was the most brave of all the women soldiers. That’s why I make this exvoto in your name. God bless you.

Jalisco, 1949