Historical Investigation
“Muralism as a symbol of reflection of social and political changes after the Mexican
revolution”
Ian Gil Linares
5°D
, 2
Muralism as a symbol of reflection of social and political changes after the Mexican
revolution.
Mexican muralism became one of the most important movements of the 20th century,
since it transformed a way of art into something public and relevant for everyone. Muralism
had become a powerful form of public art that transformed walls into visual expressions.
Modern murals can use a new variety of materials to “present struggles, identity, and the
power of people” (Journey Forever, 2020). Muralism dates back a long time ago, when
humans used to paint in cave walls to express their surroundings and beliefs. As NeoCrotalic
(2023) shows, “In ancient Egypt, murals adorned the walls of tombs and temples, depicting
scenes from mythology and daily life”
We can also track its origins to pre-hispanic civilizations such as the Aztecs, who used
to decorate their public spaces and temples with this kind of murals, as NeoCrotalic (2023)
notes “Muralism is a powerful tool of expression that not only beautifies public spaces but
also serves as a form of communication… conveying cultural identity, political ideology, and
social issues.” Even nowadays, Mexican muralism continues to be a reminder that ordinary
people have a voice worth defending.
Muralism has evolved, they are large-scaled arts painted or applied onto a
wall/ceiling, often in public spaces incorporating a variety of new techniques such as spray
painting, acrylics and mixed media representing an idea.
Despite all of these changes, the main purpose of muralism-expressing ideas and
preserving cultural narratives-has remained constant. One of the reasons muralism became so
influential is not only because of its political message, but because it completely changed the
way art was created and experienced. Murals were not simple paintings; they required new
materials, new methods, and new ways of interacting with space. This made muralism both a