This characteristic circular ceramic tableau shows more than a dozen musicians and dancers. Photo courtesy of UNAM
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The UT Health Science Center San Antonio is hosting an exhibit of artwork from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in San Antonio. The featured art — reproductions of funerary artifacts from the cultures of West Mexico — will be on display in the Lecture Hall Foyer through the end of August, leading into Hispanic Heritage Month in September.

Richard Ludueña, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, will present a lecture at noon on Monday, Aug. 8, in conjunction with the exhibit. In his presentation, “What’s in a Name? An Informal Approach to ‘Hispanic’ Genetics and History,” Dr. Ludueña will explore multiple aspects of Hispanic identity in the U.S. “If we start drawing medical conclusions,” he says, “we need to be clear what we are talking about.”

The talk will move in the direction of a working genetic definition that takes account of the variety of Hispanic populations in the U.S., including Peninsular, Native American, African and others.

Dr. Ludueña’s lecture is a sponsored activity of the Friends of the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library, and is open to the public. The presentation will be held in the Howe Room, located on the fifth floor of the Briscoe Library.

This ancient clay figurine is on display in the Lecture Hall Foyer near the Briscoe Library, along with other art reproductions from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in San Antonio. Photo courtesy of UNAM

Figurines represent every-day activities
The items on display represent a vast area that includes parts of the present-day states of Jalisco, Colima and Nayarit. The artwork dates back to the years between 100 B.C and 300 B.C.

The figurines are made from reddish or orange clay with geometric decorations in red, white, black and yellow. Some of the objects depict pregnant women or women preparing food, musicians, dancers, flutists and warriors.

The most unusual adornments are the big ear and nose ornaments in the shape of a bar or a half moon, as well as bracelets and necklaces of several strands.