Iconic Siqueiros Mural Unveiled

Historic mural by Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros goes on display in Los Angeles after a multi-million dollar restoration project.

Published

7 months ago

Categories

Arts & Society

Topics

Central America, United States

People

David Alfaro Siqueiros, Anna Siqueiros

Places

United States of America, Los Angeles

Transcript

This is the only known surviving mural by Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros in the United States. Still in its original Los Angeles location "America Tropical" was finished in 1932 to become instantly the center of controversy. Its viewers were shocked by this -- the depiction of a Mayan man tied to a cross with an American eagle perched over him. The mural was quickly painted over - and it took the city and Getty Foundation 24 years and 10 million dollars to restore. Now the building housing the second story mural is a museum exploring the restoration process of the painting. Grand niece of the late socialist painter Anna Siqueiros was at the opening. SOUNDBITE: Anna Siqueiros, Family member of Artist David Alfaro Siqueiros, saying (Spanish) "The message for the world is for us to raise awareness and for us to be united." Indeed eighty years after its original unveiling the mural today is showing the resilience of free speech.