Originally influenced by European modern art, namely Cubism and Constructivism, Latin American Art quickly developed a distinctive identity, perhaps most famously expressed by the Mexican Muralist Movement or 'Muralismo'. This artistic movement developed during a time of political unrest and is characterized by its use of realist forms to romanticize the struggle of indigenous people. The most famous artists representing this movement are Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco, also known as the “Three Great Ones.” Some of the most impressive murals can be found in Mexi … (read more)

Originally influenced by European modern art, namely Cubism and Constructivism, Latin American Art quickly developed a distinctive identity, perhaps most famously expressed by the Mexican Muralist Movement or 'Muralismo'. This artistic movement developed during a time of political unrest and is characterized by its use of realist forms to romanticize the struggle of indigenous people. The most famous artists representing this movement are Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco, also known as the “Three Great Ones.” Some of the most impressive murals can be found in Mexico, and in American cities such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia. Also inspired by Social realism, as well as Symbolism and Surrealism, is the work of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, who is famous for her scenes of traditional Mexican culture and her self-portraits.

While Muralism has been by far the most popular Latin America art export, avant-garde movements have recently gained considerable recognition by the international art world particularly in the fields of Geometric Abstraction, Kinetic, Conceptual, and Concrete Art. Key artists from these periods include: Gego, Gerd Leufert, Alejandro Otero, Hélio Oiticica, Mira Schendel, Gego, Lygia Clark, Jesus Rafael Soto, Cildo Meireles, Nelson Leirner, Leon Ferrari, Victor Grippo, and Waldemar Cordeiro.

Today’s Latin American artists belong to a global contemporary art scene fully vested in international art currents while at times maintaining close links to their heritage. Some of these artists include: Gabriel Orozco, Damian Ortega, Raphael Lozano Hemmer, Francis Alys, Beatriz Mihazes, Teresita Fernandez, Federico Herrero, Luis Roldán, Dario Escobar, Nicolas Guagnini, Alexandre Arrechea, Eugenia Calvo, Arturo Duclos, Marco Maggi and Damián Ontiveros Ramírez, and Liliana Porter.

Edited by ArtWeLove contributing writer and Pinacoteca founder Anna Di Stasi.

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