Murals

Murals gain their cultural significance in that they expand art out in to the public sphere, where individuals who might never venture into a formal art gallery, are able to view the work of art. Here they are able to foster creative progress within a society on an otherwise unimagined wall. Many times murals are also used as a vehicle for social change and political action, as they are accessible to the general public within a designated location. An Artist who is widely known for doing just this is Diego Rivera, who was commissioned to paint many large scale murals in both Mexico and the United States that many times exemplified his radical political beliefs. Commissioned in San Francisco in 1940 to paint a mural for the Golden Gate International Exposition, the piece entitled Pan American Unity (an exert shown below) resides today at the City College of San Francisco.

San Francisco is still a city that is receptive to the free expression of mural art. Shown above is Action, a mural painted by Robert D. Harris. Consistent with many other underlying themes in his work, this piece signifies growth, change and self-realization and intended to not only enhance the beauty of the city, but to stimulate awareness of these themes through its unique composition and color.