The History of Medicine in Mexico: The People’s Demand for Better Health 1953

This is a mural about medicine in Mexico made by Diego Rivera. Just imagine standing beneath this enormous fresco and looking up. Imagine Diego Rivera's hand moving back and forth, adding color upon color to the wall's rough surface. You can see it's full of figures and stories, and each must have taken so long to paint. I wonder, when Rivera painted this, was he thinking about the history of Mexican art, and how his work was part of it? It’s as if he’s in conversation with all the artists of the past. The way he layers scenes and faces reminds me of the collages I make in my studio. I’ll often include people, abstract shapes, and patterns from different times. Rivera’s painting has taught me that everything you create is a response to something else, and the meaning of your work shifts as time goes on.