Murals are large-scale, dramatic, and usually public. They're an ideal way for an artist to share work with a wide range of people, who might not venture into galleries or art museums. Murals don't just beautify buildings, they usually also convey a message about politics or history. Here are 18 vibrant pieces of New Mexican street art.
1. There's so much detail in this mural located in the town of Cuba.
2. If only all parking lots were as beautifully decorated as this one in Taos.
3. There are more than 100 public art installations in downtown Albuquerque, like this colorful mural on Gold Avenue.
4. The mural decorating the Union Hall in Bayard was painted by students, working with local artists, to commemorate a 15 month-long mining strike that occurred during the 1950s.
5. In 2005, the City of Gallup funded a street art project that resulted in nine murals. Navajo artist, Richard K. Yazzie, depicts his People's long walk home after they were finally released from Fort Sumner and were able to return to their land.
6. This Albuquerque mural is titled: "Sin Un Pasado, No Hay Futuro" (Without a Past, There’s No Future).
7. Sometimes murals are used as advertisements, like this one promoting the Sears Roebuck and Co., in Madrid.
8. This Albuquerque mural references José Vasconcelos, who wrote "Raza Cosmica." Vasconcelos wore many hats including those of lawyer, philosopher, educator, essayist, and politician.
9. Part of a mural's job is to smoothly incorporate a building's architectural details. This mural, in Fort Sumner, does precisely that. Look at how the back of the truck covers the door, a bit like a tailgate!
10. This bold, action-packed mural seems to burst from the walls of Astro-Zombies, a comic store in Albuquerque.
11. The Blue Swallow Motel, in Tucumcari, opened in 1939. The motel became a popular stop along Route 66 and is still open today. This mural adorns the motel's wall and shows James Dean lounging against a car that looks a lot like the actor's Porsche Spyder.
12. Located in Santa Fe, this mural captures the life of a railway worker.
13. There are numerous detailed and evocative murals like this one, at the Space Murals Museum, near Las Cruces.
14. This mural is next to the McDonald's in Roswell. Its theme is appropriate seeing as the actual restaurant is shaped like a spaceship.
15. Gallup's mural project led to the creation of this artwork by Zuni artist, Geddy Epaloose.
16. This parking lot mural is near another place devoted to arts and crafts: Española Valley Fiber Arts Center. The center is definitely worth a visit.
17. The final mural on this list was painted in Las Vegas in 1984, for the movie "Red Dawn."
Which of these is your favorite? Are there murals near where you live?
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