As the Trump administration seeks $18 billion over the next decade to more than double the length of the US-Mexico border fencing, one artist has another plan for the barriers.
Mexican artist Enrique Chiu is working to cover the existing border wall in colorful murals. His ultimate goal is to paint connected works there that span over 600 miles — which would become the world’s longest mural.
Chiu sees the project, called the “Mural of Brotherhood,” as “a way to unite the two nations that are divided.”
The works, which often include images found in Mexican folklore, can take a full day or several weeks (depending on the size) to complete. His ultimate goal is to paint connected works there that span over 600 miles – which would become the world’s longest mural.
Enrique Chiu (Photo: Business Insider)
Enrique Chiu, who has worked as an artist for 18 years, has painted over 80 murals in 10 cities across California, Mexico, and Guatemala. He sees this project, which he calls the “Mural of Brotherhood,” as “a way to unite the two nations that are divided.”
To paint on the Mexico side, Chiu gained permission from his country’s border security department. He hopes to eventually make it a binational project, and paint on the U.S. side too.
“There has always been a border united by the border cities. If the interest was to maintain peace in the world, [the Trump administration] would promote education and equality in the US, not violence and racism,” Chiu said.
Enrique Chiu (Photo: Business Insider)
Chiu considers himself an advocate for migrant and immigration rights. The murals are meant to “leave a positive message to support Latino people,” he said. “They’re also intended as a form of protest against the border wall that the Trump administration wishes to build,” he concluded.
This year, Chiu will also install a 50-foot-tall sculpture that represents peace at the US-Mexico border.
Source: Business Insider