Guerra, from Méchicano 1977 Calendario

Calendarios, or calendars, are a popular art form found in homes on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. They captured the attention of many Chicano artists who saw them as rich repositories of Mexican imagery such as legendary Aztec gods and historic heroes. The artists involved in Méchicano 1977 Calendario transformed this tradition into activist and contemporary terms. The calendar page for May celebrated the ancient springtime festivals later linked to May Day. September, when Americans observe Labor Day, features a raised arm demanding social justice. October conflates the symbols for peace, the United Farm Workers, and revolutionary victory. A threatening tank dominated the landscape in March, perhaps alluding to rising military dictatorships in Latin America during that time.

Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art, 2013