Mexican Influence on Chicano Muralist

During the pinnacle of the mural movement in Mexico, muralists such as Rivera and Siqueiros were invited to paint murals in the United States. The arrival of these two giants in the United States inspired both their American counterparts in the 1930's and later Chicano painters in the 1970's and 80's. Art work such as America Tropical created by Siqueiros in LA greatly influenced the Chicano style. The mural displayed an Indian peon representing oppression by United State imperialism who is crucified on a double cross capped by an American eagle. A Mayan pyramid in the background is overrun by vegetation, while an armed Peruvian peasant and a Mexican campesino sit on a wall in the upper right corner, ready to defend themselves. Although the piece remained visible for only about a year, the politically charged statement against American imperialism remained in peoples mind for many years to come. The possible reason it tool until the 70's for the Chicano mural movement to develop is because the political seed Siqueiros planted remained dormant until it was sparked by the Civil Rights movement. [explain ideologies of Chicano movement] When murals began appearing in urban neighborhoods across the nation during the Chicano movement, America Tropical acquired its most far reaching significance by becoming their predecessor and prototype. The increased ethnic awareness that developed during the Chicano movement brought a surge of mural painting in cities with politically active Mexican American populations, especially in California. These murals arose out of a need to convey the spirit of this emerging movement. Chicanos viewed their work both as inspired by and as a departure from Mexican muralism, and although Chicanos recognized continuality between Mexican work and their own, it was important for them to tell the experience of Mexicans living within the United States.

Indigenous Imagery

There are many themes and images that are shared between the Mexican murals of the 30's and the Chicano murals of the 70's and 80's. Some shared images included symbolic representations of the mestizo, Mexican patriots, union images, and religious characterizations, especially the Virgin of Guadalupe. One such theme is the use of indigenous iconography for the purpose of developing an identity. The indigenous imagery of both Mexican and Chicano muralism was often of a romantic character, setting up the values of Indian culture and civilization as an alternative to the existing Anglo-European values. To understand the rejection of these existing values, one must examine the political situation at the time that they were created.

Because the Mexican revolution was a loose alliance of different leaders, there was no unified national identity after its success. The chaos following the revolution coupled with hundreds of years of Spanish colonial rule led to a need for a national identity based on revolutionary themes. The government of Alvaro Obregon commissioned the best artists of Mexico to create murals on public buildings. These Mexican artists began to reflect internally on what makes up a Mexican. This search for cultural identity backed by the spirit of the revolution led the muralist to reject traditional easel painting and instead develop a uniquely Mexican aesthetic that would reflect the society that surrounds him, and be made for the common Mexican who makes up Mexico. To accomplish this, they adopted images of peasants and workers that were not represented previously in art. These murals were monumental in size and were intended to recount the history of Mexico to a largely undereducated, often illiterate, population while also inspiring unification to create a better nation. An example of this is in the mural The History of Mexico by Diego Rivera. In this mural, Rivera narrates the struggle and transformation of the Mexican people from pre-Columbian times to the present, and into the future. The narrative begins with scenes of an indigenous society complete with agriculture, art, and science. He continues to present the Spanish conquest and the creation of the mestizo. Next, he recreates images of the revolution along with a call for the continued resistance by both peasant and industrial workers against the foreign capitalist.

[Explain political situation in LA in 60's] Throughout the early part of the 20th century there was a substantial migration of Mexicans into the southwest, many of them settling in California. These immigrants were restricted to the lowest-paying, most menial jobs and endured segregation in housing, education, and public accommodations. These migrants were met with discrimination and hostility by the government which was supported by Anglo business and civic leaders with nativist sentiments. This period of intolerance was especially offensive to Mexicans who could trace their roots back several generations to the land grant families of the nineteenth century. To make matters worse, Mexican workers became scapegoats during the Great Depression leading to persistent hostility.[Explain how chicano movement birthed mural movement] The Chicano movement of the late sixties arose out of a response to the existing