Artist: Alexa Joana
Title: The Great Mother
Medium: Linocut on Kozo Paper
Size: 15x 18.5 in.
Artist Statement: 
All Taino are descended from the Turtle Mother. She entered the ocean and became the foundation of the world, carrying us all on her  back.  But the turtle carries more that just land, she carries memory, connecting us with those who came before. She symbolizes connection between humanity and the natural world.     I  am drawn to the turtle as a symbol of connection to my Taino ancestors. Though much of their culture has been lost I feel called to keep their stories alive so that, like the turtle, they endure and are not forgotten.