Final Post

This course has been very eye-opening for me. Although I had some knowledge of the somewhat similar themes of Mexican art, I was completely unaware of the fascinating realm of Chicana art. This class helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the role of art in society, especially in relation to the struggles of the Chicana/o movement.  I was surprised to learn about the extent and variety of artistic expression and the differences between each artist, as well as the common themes that bring them together. 

One theme that I found especially important was the relationship between Chicana art and tradition. I found that for some artists, as for example Carmen Lomas Garza, representing Chicana/o traditions is an important part of expressing a collective identity and of empowering members of the community. In this sense, tradition in combination with art can be a positive force. However, for other artists, especially those with feminist messages, tradition often becomes a barrier to progress, something that needs to be questioned. I found it interesting to think about this dual role of tradition in relation to art, and I’m glad that I got a chance to explore this connection in this class.