Mexican Roots

Discover the rich tapestry of Mexican art in Mexican Roots, the newest exhibit to come to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The museum invites you to celebrate the vibrant world of masks and relief prints that capture the essence of Mexican history, people, culture and religion. This engaging showcase delves into the common threads that weave through the diverse landscape of traditional Mexican artwork.

For over 150 years, Mexican printmaking and popular art have intertwined, influencing each other and sharing audiences. Masks have been an integral part of Latin American traditions, with rituals, dances, and festivals featuring prominently. This tradition has deep roots dating back to pre-Columbian times. While mask-centric festivals persist in Europe, the prevalence of masks in Latin America is predominantly tied to indigenous cultural traditions.

The fusion of Indigenous and European Christian themes has played a significant role, shaping the cultural landscape of Latin America with a mix of traditions evident in dances and ceremonies across the region. Today, the themes of masks, indigenous history, and traditional life remain as potent as ever in Mexican print work, establishing an unmistakable connection between these diverse artistic mediums.

The exhibit unfolds a visual narrative, from the pre-Hispanic realms depicting animals, plants, and the cycle of life and death, to the Christian imagery of devils and saints. The “magical realism” that is exhibited by traditional Mexican art is not derived from any particular art movement.

This surrealism comes from the rich history of Mexico itself and the subject matter stems from common themes of pre-Hispanic times. Mexican history has artfully woven together these seemingly disparate elements, touching on “fiesta de Santo Santiago”, the native population, and Mexican life, creating a uniquely powerful visual language in popular art.

The exhibit is included with museum admission or membership. Mexican Roots is supported by the Fund to Advance Racial Equity at North Texas Community Foundation.

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