Wall mural paintings can date back to the pre-Columbian period. During the classic period, which is between c.200 and c.900, the Maya dominated the culture that time. Mayan art is mainly characterized by petroglyphs, a variety of rock art, some stone sculpture and wood-carving, as well as mural paintings. Murals can be traced back to about 750 CE, they were discovered when the city of Bonampak was excavated in 1946.
Imagery is a very important theme used in the arts of pre-Columbian period. The most common figures than can be seen in murals are different gods and characters with special social positions or status, such as warriors. These murals were used to convey a message of cultural pride, and we can learn a lot of people’s culture, beliefs,
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Chicano muralism created their arts on the walls of street, in the public places. They are not sponsored by the government or other organizations, they paint when they want to express or convey some emotions and messages. In addition, Chicano mural art is not a way to show one specific person’s masterpieces, but rather a way to present its thinking, culture, and enthusiasm for the public. They hope their culture can get affirmation from everyone, as well as want to educate others about their culture. Personally, I think what is amazing to me is the presenting ways or techniques of Chicano murals, they perfectly combine the techniques of expression from modern art with their ancient culture, such as some special symbols. For example, John Pugh’s “Siete Punto Uno”. It is a mural painted on a wall of a downtown main street. This mural has 3-D visual effect. And it was created because of a historical event, the Loma Prieta earthquake. The design of this mural is so unique. The mural is depicting a girl who is looking at a Chicano mural. On the Chicano mural, we can see a lot symbols with specific meanings. This mural, I think, is a very good example for Chicano murals. It perfectly connects an historical event, Chicano culture, as well as muralist’s feelings and emotions