Atenco Aguanta El Pueblo Se Levanta
Melanie Cervantes
7' x 5'
Acrylic Painting on canvas, 2007
Collection of the Artist
San Salvador de Atenco has a long history of resistance to the central government, dating from before Mexico's Revolution of 1910. In 2001, Atenco villagers, mostly small farmers, organized the Peoples' Front for Defense of the Land and stopped former President Vincente Fox from grabbing their farmlands for the construction of a new airport. When they prevailed, a movement was born.In 2006, this group spearheaded the defense of the flower vendors in nearby Texcoco, who were forcibly removed by police from the streets in order to prepare for the coming Wal-Mart store. Wielding their machetes, the people's resistance became a symbol of popular protest in Mexico.
This large scale painting was the first, of what I thought would be a series, of banners that social justice organizations could borrow for their community events. I wanted to create banners on struggles of the moment around the world-highlights examples of resistance to a the forces of neoliberal governments and occupation. I only ended up painting two of these banners though. At the time I hadn't learned how to screen print and hadn't meet my comrades and future studio mates Jesus and Favianna. I've had many friend comment that the painted banner looks alot like poster. About a year after I painted this banner I translated the design into a limited edition screen print. Two years after that I adjusted the design when I was invited to design a Celebrate People's History Poster by Justseeds founder and fellow cooperative member, Josh MacPhee.
Tags: "melanie cervantes" xicana
Uploaded on: April 7, 2010 | Click here to view original size | Permalink
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