It is no secret that the political climate between Mexico and the United States is a bit tense. With President Donald Trump’s longstanding plan to build a new border wall at the forefront of conversations in both nations, artist Enrique Chiu decided to stop talking about brotherhood and start painting it.
The son of a Mexican immigrant, Chiu understands all too well the issues that immigrants face – no matter which side of the wall they are on. The artist wanted to create a pictorial representation of peace and hope in an attempt to give back to and inspire the Tijuana community.
With nearly 20 years of experience painting murals and over 80 of them in his portfolio, Enrique Chiu decided to approach the new project from a different angle. The “Mural of Brotherhood” is a collaborative piece of art, nearly three years in the making. To date, about 4,000 citizens, artists, and other volunteers have contributed their designs and messages of hope to paint it.
At its completion, the mural will span over a mile of the Mexican border in Tijuana, with smaller segments connecting the project to the southern edge of it. With its colorful designs, inspirational images, and poignantly crafted phrases, the mural breathes the passion and diversity of the thousands of people who have contributed to its message.
Chiu says, “I want to make a change in the world… and I think I am achieving it. Through art and the will of people, a social and cultural movement is being made that can fill people with positive feelings and send messages in this huge canvas we have.”
As political climates change and flex, art remains a universal language that stands the test of time.