From El Movimiento to Freak Alley

Art is one of the principal vehicles that we Chicano-Latinos use to portray and illustrate our Mexican American culture. We take advantage of a variety of media to express how we feel, what we think and what we have lived through. Whether spray-painted on an alley wall, commissioned as a mural or depicted on a canvas, each projection tells a story. A story of the Chicano culture. 

Chicano art takes root in the 1960s, during El Movimiento, or the Movement, mainly led by Cesar Chavez. Chicano artists, in an effort to create awareness on land grants, education and farm workers’ rights, exploited the visual arts to spur an emotional response from those who viewed their creations.

Moving forward to 2020, we use the same media to illustrate our culture, culinary heritage, way of life and traditions. Art has become a way to showcase not only the rich colors of our Mexican culture but also the talent of Chicano artists. Their works captivate the emotions of all audiences. 

Chicano art has leaped beyond the media mentioned and can be seen on lowrider cars, clothing, hats, shoes and any number of things.

Visual content now illustrates our rich culture and sustains our Chicano heritage. 

Growing up in South Texas, I saw art in sketchbooks and on walls and fences. My most engrained memories connecting me to Chicano art are the sketchbooks of Bobby Gaytan, a childhood friend’s brother. I remember watching him sketch in his notebooks when I visited or during church sermons, and airbrushing art in their garage. 

Bobby Gaytan is now a notable Latino graphic artist living in the Boise, Idaho, area, where he owns BlakBook22 studio. Many of his pieces are commissioned and displayed in downtown Boise’s Freak Alley, a block dedicated to local artists. His works are marked by his tag, Amor1. Some of Bobby’s work is reminiscent of El Movimiento, depicting migrant workers with vivid and bright images.

Throughout the decades, Chicano art has become part of our culture, and it will not cease anytime soon. It is our essence, visually depicted, a way for us to embrace our history and a means to keep our heritage alive. Most notably, it’s a medium to show the world who we are.