Love Language / Yolotl Tlahtoa 

David Ocelotl Garcia, 2026 

Located along the walkway between the Bell Memorial Union and Trinity Commons, Love Language / Yolotl Tlahtoa by David Ocelotl Garcia is a large-scale, mixed-media installation constructed from aluminum, stainless steel, glass, cast cement, and mosaic glass. The three-dimensional mural is composed in a dynamic butterfly formation featuring mouths, speech scrolls, and mosaic hearts that symbolize the voices of students. 

Inspired by Tribal pictography and his own cultural background, Ocelotl Garcia’s work honors the identities and traditions of Latin, Latinx, Chicano, Mexicano, and Native American communities, while also acknowledging the Native ancestry of the land.  

Created in Ocelotl Garcia’s “abstract imaginism” style, the installation was shaped by his visit to Chico State, where he drew inspiration from the campus’s natural beauty and energy. The piece invites viewers to reflect on the power of their voice and how expression can bring ideas and aspirations to life. 

“I felt compelled to create a visual interpretation of your voice and how powerful it is,” Ocelotl Garcia said. “Your voice is more powerful than you imagine. What you put into the world travels, it affects people. That’s something we don’t always see, but it exists.” 

Learn more about the artist and the inspiration behind this work in Chico State Today’s artist interview.(opens in new window)