El Monte Public Art - Jacqueline Arciniega

 


I chose to do El Monte, California because it has been my home since I was five years old. My parents also grew up here; they both went to El Monte High School. I also attended school in El Monte from Kindergarten through High School, and now my son is growing up there. I chose El Monte not only because of how meaningful this city is to me, but also because, after watching The South El Monte’s Art Posse video “Lost Murals of Greater El Monte,” I learned that in the late 1970s, the city banned murals after controversy and triggers that came from some murals that were done. One mural was “La Adelita,” and what set them over the edge was an artist/professor, Ron Reeder, proposing to place a mural behind the El Monte Theatre of Godzilla attacking the city. The idea behind the mural was to unite the community against a “common enemy” rather than against each other. Instead, the mural ban remained in effect until 2018. Learning this definitely sparked my interest more.



Below are images of La Adelita and Ron Reeder’s proposed Godzilla mural referenced above.



Public Piece 1: She Brought Her People With Her


Name: She Brought Her People With Her

Year: 2021

Artist: Alonso Deladillo and Fernando Mendez Corona 

(This was organized by the South El Monte Arts Posse and done with the help of community volunteers.)


This mural was created to celebrate and recover forgotten history of muralism in El Monte after the ban was lifted. Co-founder of South El Monte Arts Posse Romeo Guzman states, “It’s a site-specific mural… referencing the whitewashing of both history and specific murals.” The mural acknowledges many important moments, people, and symbols from El Monte’s history, including Gloria Arellanes, Flores Magon Brothers, and La Adelita. It serves as public art but also as a visual reminder of El Monte’s previously erased history.



Public Piece 2: Come Walk With Me


Name: Come Walk With Me

Year: 2023

Artist: Kiara Aileen Machado


The mural represents and celebrates the diverse community of El Monte, including Mexican, Central American, Black, LGBTQ, and Asian Communities. It was created as part of LA vs Hate, as a reminder that our differences should bring us together and that everyone should feel welcome and accepted. Especially during a time when discrimination and hate continue to affect many communities.


Public Piece 3: SHEIN Hispanic Heritage Month Mural Project

Year: 2022

Five Latinx artists were invited to collaborate with SHEIN in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The murals represent much more than a brand collaboration. Each mural tells its own story, celebrating the Latino Community and bringing creativity and culture to the Main Street of El Monte.

Artist: Sergio Robletos

Artist: Alex Ali Gonzalez

Artist: Teddy Kelly

Artist: Marisabel Bazan

Artist: Yai


Critical Analysis

Common themes in the El Monte Public Art works included community, culture, history, and representation. All the murals were influenced by the community that lives in El Monte. They represent diversity, and primarily the Latino community, which is a big part of El Monte's population. The history of the murals being banned was represented by including memories of what was erased. It seems like many of these murals are funded by the city, community organizations, artists, and through collaborations.

Proposal

Learning about El Monte's history of banning murals significantly changed the way I look at public art in my city. It was disappointing to learn that for so many years people in positions of power decided that murals were not welcome. I really appreciate the city's effort in bringing back murals after so many years without them. I would really love to see more public art throughout El Monte. I would also love to see representations of all members of the community that include people with disabilities, autistic individuals who use Alternative Augmentative Communication devices (AAC), and so on. I would also love to see more representation of the LGBTQ community. I think public art has the power to make people be seen, welcomed, and connected.



References:


Fuentes, E. (2015, May 28). The moratorium that stomped El Monte murals. PBS SoCal. https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/departures/the-moratorium-that-stomped-el-monte-murals 


LA vs Hate. (2023, October 2). Come Walk With Me mural unveiling, honoring the Latiné community. https://www.lavshate.org/updates/come-walk-with-me-mural-unveiling-honoring-the-latin-community 


Muros. (2022). SHEIN project. https://www.muros.com/projects/shein


Ohanesian, L. (2021, November 3). A 1970s moratorium stunted El Monte's mural movement. A new work brings it back to life. PBS SoCal Artbound. https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/artbound/el-monte-mural 


Rivera, A. (2022, October 15). Colorful murals enliven downtown El Monte's Main Street thanks to an idea by online retailer SHEIN. San Gabriel Valley Tribune.


South El Monte Arts Posse. (2021, October 12). Lost murals of Greater El Monte [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/6i25w4pBgpE


Verano, B. F. (2023, October 20). New "Come Walk With Me" mural in El Monte honors Latino community. CALÓ News. https://www.calonews.com/featured-topics/culture/new-come-walk-with-me-mural-in-el-monte-honors-latino-community/article_cfc5eb1e-759b-11ee-8bda-7367e532fd95.html




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