Credit: VICTIMA DE LA INDUSTRIALIZACION CAPITALISTA/VICTIM OF CAPITALIST INDUSTRIALIZATION OR FOR THE COMPLETE SAFETY OF ALL MEXICANS AT WORK by David Siquieros, Photographed by Bob Schalkwijk, Licensed under ARTSTOR
David Alfaro Siqueiros took part in the Mexican Revolution and believed in many political ideologies such as stalinism and communism. He was involved in many radical activities and as a result he was exiled from Mexico in the 1930’s. His mural “For The Complete Social Security of All Mexicans” located in the Hospital de La Raza in D.F, Mexico, was painted in the later stages of his life and the details of the workers are a reflection of his ideologies.
The leftmost piece of his mural depicts workers looking upon a dead worker on a conveyor belt coming from or going towards machines. The focal point of the painting is the bloodied body of the worker on the belt. The other workers have darker skin tones compared to the body, they all look down onto him, guiding the viewer’s eye towards the body. Siquieros uses a very pale color for the worker’s skin in order to communicate that he has passed away. The dead worker has his hands outward like a martyr which alludes to Jesus. Colors on the left side of the mural are cooler because of the artist’s use of light greys and blues. The blood is highly contrasting against the color of the worker’s overalls and skin. Behind the body, there are circular shapes that represent machinery. Siqueiros’ swirling machines are influenced by Italian Futurism which was a movement that emphasized technology and industry.
David Alfaro Siqueiros judges the fallacies of capitalism and its effects on the workers of Mexico. Throughout his life, he consistently supported proletariats and the working class. He was even arrested for leading protests in support of striking teachers and employees. The cool colors give off a sorrowful feeling towards the workers in the mural. He critiques mass consumerism as represented by the conveyor belt which alludes to assembly lines and brings awareness to capitalism’s cost: lives.
