Symbolal Images In Three Peoples Murals By Kenneth Adams

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The Mural borderline The mural images from the Zimmerman Library are not the first images to be at the forefront of controversy and they certainly are not the last. The “Three Peoples Murals,” by Kenneth Adams were completed in 1939. It was a mural designed to represent the three cultures of the southwest. In the first mural we see a Native American contribution such as making baskets, pottery and weaving. The Chicanos contribution is shown through agriculture and architecture. The Anglos are shown as the scientific contributors and the third shows the union of all three, with the men shaking hands. In text the images are not given justice. In visually breaking down these images there is so much tension and angst that is felt by those that …show more content…
They are seated inside with adequate furnishings. The man and child in the middle of the room both have an indication of eyes as they are clearly outlined in the image. This could indicate that the Anglos believed themselves to be higher ranking than the others. The man and woman are both working at the same type of station one is not above the other showing equality of the sexes. These things and more contribute to the offensiveness of these murals. The outrage that people have is not at the mural but at the artist’s portrayal of the people in those …show more content…
They are a people that are one with the earth. They make adjustments to the dominant society for the good of the people. Their identity is not what is shown on the pottery and woven rugs but within their cultural background. The Chicanos are not only workers they are visionaries, explorers and artists as well. They are one with their culture and make life of it. The Anglos did not just sit in a building becoming doctors. They explored, they watched and adjusted customs to fill a need. Each culture has an identity. Each culture had something that they were phenomenal at and each one found something new and interesting about another culture that they could change and adapt to fit their lifestyle. These images are important. They are almost sacred. “Security comes from knowing one’s place within the prevailing kinship; within the community. (Sekaquaptewa 45)” People have a responsibility to preserve history and as such keep it alive. If history repeats itself the people have every chance to change it if the stories, images and past are

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