The original 1920-70s Mexican murals ran with themes that celebrated and glorified the Mexican Revolution while evoking the country’s pre-colonial heritage.
Industry and religion also feature heavily. Modern murals now draw on influences as varied as Japanese anime and pop culture. Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has become popular globally and is now widespread in Mexican-American street art. Because Mexican mural art often focuses on the people, it’s common to see portraits of public figures too. These could be local people, leaders, historical figures, politicians, or other artists. There is a robust connection with location in the murals, and artists often paint portraits in honor of someone born, raised, or who lived in the neighborhood.