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Derek Ortega

Professor Batty

English 101

28 February 2017

Warriors across Time

The mural Ghost of the Barrio by Wayne Healy was published in 1974. During the time

this mural was painted, there were a lot of Chicano revolutionaries fighting for rights for their

people. It shows great colors like the color blue which gives a sense of relaxation and calmness

as well the straight lines in the mural. The painting shows us a sense of pride and the rich culture

of the Chicano/Latino community. It shows the ancestors of the Chicanos in the background, and

it looks like they could be talking to each other about their ancestors in a sense of passing down

traditional stories from generation to generation. Murals like these were such a big part of the

Chicano movement in the 1970s because at the time, we were considered little to nothing in

American society. That is why many Chicanos/Latinos made murals like these to show pride and

honor within each other. People would say that this painting doesnt matter or mean anything, but

in reality it shows a lot culture and social movement of 1970s through usage of colors and

themes.

In the mural there is so much blue in the background to create a relaxing atmosphere for

the main characters to have remember who they are and where they came from. They are

describing their ancestors because we see a ghost like presences around them. As well, the house

is colored in an off white color to represent the beautiful daylight that they are enjoying on a

Sunday afternoon, just talking. The porch is painted in an aqua blue they like if they are sitting

on a cloud and enjoying the nice cool breeze from nature. Chicanos are obviously brown in this
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image from their skin toned color because they are mixed with Spanish ancestry. As well they are

getting sun rays from the sun on an afternoon. The lines in this mural also tries to tell us that they

conversation they are having can also be very straight forward and can be honest with each other

as well.

Looking at this mural and being able to understand what type of culture is shown to us in

this art. The way the mural is painted to us is from the past, present and future from an Aztec

Warrior, Spanish Conquistador, and a Mexican Revolutionary solider to current Chicanos.

Having this cultural image painted and telling a story that the ancestors are looking over their

loved ones and the men are explaining stories about their past and exchanging stories from each

other. From an Aztec Warrior to a Conquistador and as well a Mexican Revolutionary solider it

tells us how we came from these great figures and reminding us who we are. We should be proud

of our culture. Upon looking at this mural it shows us our culture from a distant past to present

day we are living now.

At the time this mural was painted in the 1970s was at the time of a social movement that

would be called the Chicano Movement. The artist of the mural at the time decided to paint this

art for many Chicanos that needed something to look at in a sense of being brown and proud

because in White America, they saw Chicanos irrelevant and just another minority. The Chicano

Movement was a huge part at the time because many Chicano painters wanted to express their

culture in these murals that would involve a lot of Chicano figures from the likes of Cesar

Chavez and many other individuals. So the painter of the mural, Wayne Healy, decided to paint

this mural at the time Chicanos needed some sort of image to look up at and be extremely

honored and have something to look at the time. Here, Wayne Healy, is introducing to us how he

painted this mural. Finally, I did my own in 1974, all by myself. It is called Ghosts of the
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Barrio. It shows some vatos hanging out on a front porch. Its sort of a trompe-loeil because

people say, How did you paint that on the steps? Its not the steps, its a blank wall of a

housing unit so it has a kind of trompe-loeil, 3-D effect. So its cholo like cats hanging out and

on the side are ghost images of Mestizos, a Revolutionary, and an indigenous. So, its sort of,

Where do we go from here? (Wayne, 2010) So, Wayne Healy here is describing to us on how

he painted this mural and the name he gave his work of art. As well the cultural ancestors of the

fellow Chicanos that are in the mural he painted.

People who say that these murals dont mean anything are completely wrong and

ignorant because they cant admire the meaning behind the image and the colors. Murals like this

one will live forever because these are historical marks that are there for us to look at and to be

proud of art that these artist have done over the years. Once you look at this mural youll be able

to understand its deep meaning behind it and its historical message. Hopefully through my essay

youll be able to see this mural through my words. If you decide to check the mural out you

wont be disappointed at all. Youll appreciate the magnificent work of art this piece is.
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Works Citied

Tenopia, Tia. "Home." Latinopiacom. N.p., 06 Mar. 2010. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.