For this blog I choose to look at alternative style of art, and I choose to pick some from Mexico. These paintings are from the 1930’s and are done by Mexican artist Diego Rivera. We all know about the 1930’s, the Great Depression, rise of radical socialist movements, and public unrest. These things were also happening in areas that we don’t think about during this time period, like Mexico. I think that they all tie into each other, the history of mexico, and what was going on in the world at that time. Starting off with The Flower Carrier, you look back into the history of Mexico, and possibly its situation at the time. Manual labor and difficulty were part of life at this time (as well as throughout Mexican history). In Agrarian Leader Zapata you have the next step. What I see here is the Mexican revolution from Spanish oppression, and also hope for the future from the hardships of the 1930’s. Lastly you have Man at the Crossroads. This picture symbolizes the future of man and the many directions they could take. It’s the future for Mexico, as well as for mankind. Personally I like Man at the Crossroads the most. I think it’s more applicable for people today, and I think that’s why it speaks to me personally. It makes you wonder about all of the possibilities that are still open to us. As for the other two, I think they are great looks into the history of the country.
Sources:
mheathblog 
I enjoyed how you decided to study Mexico because it seems that Mexican art gets overlooked so easily when compared to other countries artistic styles. I also like how you highlighted the hardships in Mexico during the Great Depression, because I too feel that Mexico is overlooked when we talk about the Great Depression. I also like how the pieces of art that you selected highlighted these struggles as well.
Source: Mckay, R. (June 1, 1984). The Impact of The Great Depression on Immigrant Mexican Labor: Reparation of the Bridgeport, Texas, Coal Miners. Social Science Quarterly, 65, 2, 354-363
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