Spencer, Tadeo (Week 8)

This week’s presentations focused on artists who create public art, which means they install their work at a location accessible to the public. In most cases, this means it is displayed outside, so it must be made to last in these conditions. Murals exemplify public art perfectly.

I thoroughly enjoyed Jacqueline’s presentation on the muralist Graciela Carrillo. Carrillo was born in Los Angeles in 1950, and she moved to San Francisco after receiving a grant to study at an art institute in the city. Eventually, she became part of the Chicana art group called Las Mujeres Muralistas. She also co-founded La Galería de la Raza, an art gallery built in the Mission District.

I found it very interesting when Jacquelin explained how the work of Las Mujeres Muralistas sparked community engagement within the Mission District. The mural shown above depicts the experiences of women living in the area, and it depicts numerous allusions to indigeneity. Examples include the sun, which looks like an Aztec calendar, and the many rows of corn at the forefront of the image (corn was a staple crop for many indigenous civilizations). After the completion of this mural, many artists wanted to join Las Mujeres Muralistas. Parents would also take their children to watch artists work on the mural so they could learn more about their indigenous history.
 
This demonstrates the importance of public art. Since it is not confined to spaces like galleries which Latinxs may not be able to access (if payment is required for entry, if it is located far from their houses, etc.), its messages can reach a wider audience. In this sense, murals bring the gallery to the neighborhood, and unlike pieces displayed in galleries they can catch the attention of people who are unaware of their existence, much like an advertisement on a billboard.