-
Rise of political activism tied to the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. Emphasis on cultural identity, pride, and resistance. Early use of protest posters, street art, and community-based visual culture. Linked to the Chicano Movement, farmworker activism, student walkouts, and anti-racism efforts
-
This piece depicts the Cypress Street Barrio in Orange, California, capturing the lived environment of working‑class Chicano life in the mid‑1960s. Vásquez’s realism shows the architecture, everyday people, and social conditions with dignity and historical context. The work is important because it documents Chicano community identity before the more public mural movement that emerged later. -
This early mural marks Baca’s first public engagement with Chicano community art. It documents everyday life in East L.A. neighborhoods, celebrating Chicano culture and identity. The work demonstrates her emerging style of large-scale, narrative-driven murals aimed at social education and empowerment. -
This mural by Antonio Bernal is one of the first Chicano murals. It shows people from ancient Mesoamerica alongside modern civil rights leaders, connecting Chicano culture with history. It was made at the Teatro Campesino and was used both as art and as a backdrop for performances, showing Bernal’s work as an artist and activist. -
In his artwork, this poster became one of the most recognizable images of Chicano activism. García used bold colors and simplified shapes to create a strong, emotional message supporting farmworker rights. -
Mi Abuelita depicts a grandmother figure as a central symbol of family, tradition, and cultural continuity in the Chicano community. Baca used large-scale public mural techniques to bring visibility and pride to everyday life in East L.A. neighborhoods. The work exemplifies the Chicano Art Movement’s focus on storytelling, community engagement, and cultural identity. -
This mural celebrates the Chicano march for civil rights in 1971, called La Marcha de la Reconquista. It shows Chicano people fighting for equality, culture, and justice. The mural is important because it connects art to activism and the struggle for Chicano rights in Sacramento. -
Cesen Deportación addresses the forced deportation of Mexican and Latinx communities in the U.S. García’s bold silkscreen style makes the political message clear and impactful. The work exemplifies the Chicano Movement’s use of art for social justice, community empowerment, and activism. -
This mural by Willie Herrón III and Gronk memorializes the 1970 Chicano Moratorium, a protest against the Vietnam War. Its black-and-white, photo-realistic style makes it feel like a documentary in paint, showing both the march and scenes of police brutality. The piece is powerful because it links Chicano activism, neighborhood history, and political resistance in a public, community space.