Influential Painters in The History of Chicano

Paintings that come from the world of art have come in many different forms including: Expressionism, Rembrandt, Neoclassical, Romanticism, etc. Yet, none are as unique, and in some ways underappreciated, in their ways of expressing their message as Chicano Art. Chicano art is an art style most commonly used by Mexican American Artists. In order for someone to fully appreciate Chicano art, they must first understand the history behind it, the artists are most known for it, and the place that features it most prominently.

Chicano Art first began in the 1960s to express the distaste Mexicans had about being mistreated by Americans. It rose up among the ranks with Chicano Poetry in the period known as ‘The Chicano Art Movement’. Many Chicano murals often depict similar themes of mistreatment by the Americans and their strong connection to their mestizo ancestors. The most popular image for Chicano artists to incorporate into their art was ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe because of her cultural significance to the Mexican people.

Though the history of Chicano art includes many gifted artists, the three most influential painters in the history of Chicano art were Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco. Diego Rivera is most well known for being the husband of Frida Khalo who is one of the most famous Chicana painters in Mexican history. However, he too was a very talented painter who painted iconic paintings like, ‘Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park’ and ‘Man at the Crossroads’. David Alfaro Siqueiros is also a very well-known Chicano artist. He is most well known for his political murals which featured prominent shadows and a noticeable lack of color. José Clemente Orozco made similar murals to David Alfaro Siqueiros but included more color. Some of his most famous works were ‘The Trench’, ‘Maternity’, and ‘Prometheus’. All three of these artists helped mold the types of styles and characteristics that would shape Chicano art today.

If you are looking for magnificently drawn Chicano arts, look no further that Chicano Park. Chicano Park is home to many truly outstanding works painted on the pylons of the highway roads underneath the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge in San Diego. The murals there exhibit many images and people associated with Mecian culture including Cesar Chavez, Mesoamerican Imagery, Frida Khalo, Che Guevara, and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Chicano Park shows the true beauty of what Chicano art is all about.

Chicano art is a highly exceptional art style that is quite underappreciated in the world today. Although Chicano Park predominantly features this art, it is uncommon to find it elsewhere. Additionally, the artists most associated with it are not as well known as other famous artists. Hopefully one day, Chicano art will achieve the glory and recognition that it rightly deserves. 

Works Cited

1. “Chicano Art.” Artsy, https://www.artsy.net/gene/chicano-art.
2. “Diego Rivera, His Life and Art.” Diego Rivera - Paintings,Murals,Biography of Diego Rivera, https://www.diegorivera.org/.
3. “David Alfaro Siqueiros.” 71 Artworks, Bio & Shows on Artsy,. https://www.artsy.net/artist/david-alfaro-siqueiros.
4. “José Clemente Orozco Paintings, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, https://www.theartstory.org/artist/orozco-jose-clemente/.
5. Palomo, Teresa. “CHICANO MURAL MOVEMENT.” The Handbook of Texas Online| Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), 12 June 2010, https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kjc03.
6. Walser, Lauren. “Explore the Murals of San Diego's Chicano Park: National Trust for Historic Preservation.” Explore the Murals of San Diego's Chicano Park | National Trust for Historic Preservation, 5 July 2017, https://savingplaces.org/stories/explore-the-murals-of-san-diegos-chicano-park#.XdWyy9VKjcs.