A picture is worth a thousand words but what about a mural? Murals famously capture moments in history, and it can be regarded as passion projects for skilled and well–known artists. This type of art has been responsible for upholding the vision of a town, an individual’s legacy, or history.
Continue reading to learn more about the importance of murals.
MURALS IN HISTORY
Murals and the act of painting a story or expressing oneself can be dated to thousands of years ago. Additionally, the artform dates back as far as 30,000 BC, according to MuralForm, a Toronto-based mural team. The earliest known are located in the “Chauvet cave in France.” It serves not only as an form of early artistic and human expression, but as a recorded moment as well.
Some murals showcase a love for communities and people. They have proven to stand the test of time through their rich history. The Eclectic Light Company, a blog site dedicated to paintings, cites Raphael’s Frescoes in Rome as “commissioned around 1509 by Pope Julius II.” Raphael’s frescoes are large works of art consisting of multiple murals depicting interpretations of stories found in Christianity. This mural is a noteworthy example of how history was captured and interpreted.
Another prime example is “My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love“ or the “Fraternal Kiss” by Dmitri Vrubell. This artwork transcends the artist to a specific moment in history. Moreover, murals modeled after historical events can serve as a reminder of what was endured during that time.
THE COMMUNITY ASPECT
Besides history, murals can be seen in local areas such as in communities or towns. For instance, local artists can be contacted first since they can depict a community‘s accomplishments, town history, and people in a personal light.
For prime example is Chicano Park, where Mexican Americans in Barrio Logan, San Diego, were promised a park in the 1960s. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit organization, states, “the construction of Interstate 5 led to displacements of their homes.” The community successfully regained a small pot of land used for “ colorful murals depicting various elements of Chicano culture.” As a result, murals can preserve one’s history and legacy to remind others about their community or a notable person.
Lasting Legacies
Along with representing accomplishments, murals can be used to capture the legacy of a town or an exceptional person. Likewise, they serve as a reminder of what a town, person, or moment in history stood for and educate and inspire the next generation.
A memorable individual’s legacy is represented to all who come across it. For example, John Lewis, a civil rights activist, was honored by a mural in the Sweet Auburn district of Atlanta, Georgia. And appropriately, one of his quotes is celebrated and shared by Georgia State University.
Why Murals are Important
Murals represent a community, a moment of history, or someone’s legacy. Ultimately, they remind others of what has come before them. For thousands of years, they have been an integral form of expression that tells a group’s or individual’s achievements and history or memorializes those who have passed.
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