Chicano Mural Movement

Presenter: Carmen Martinez

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Department: Chicano and Latino Studies

Funding Source/Sponsor: SYRCE Symposium

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1v29k10w3528uIRZ57Rqsr7HSf5pw9Ohh

Abstract:
The Chicano Mural Movement was established in the late 1960’s throughout the Southwest in Mexican-American barrios. Artists depicted Mexican-American culture art by painting on the walls of city buildings, schools, churches and housing projects. Chicano muralism derived from indegenious people, who recorded their rituals and history on the walls of their pyramids. Chicano artists illustrated cultural motifs and heroes from different time periods to remind themselves of how they came to be. Although the Chicano Mural Movement helped form their identity through its powerful paintings, it brought up concerns that it had fundamentally become a form of politicized art. Nevertheless, it increased cultural awareness among educators which gave a new rise of activism that led to the formation of ethnic studies. The mural production became part of reinvigorating Chicanos cultural heritage which was soon used as a platform for social progress organizations that challenged racism through reaffirming cultural identity.