Rudolfo Anaya Memorial Mural

In the summer of 2020, the renowned author of Chicano literature, Rudolfo Anaya, passed away. During this time widespread protests were happening across the nation after the death of George Floyd. In New Mexico, it sparked long-standing tensions between Pueblo and Spanish communities over New Mexico’s colonial history.

Monuments and statues dedicated to the accomplishments of Spanish settlers are considered a symbol of New Mexico’s history to some. Others consider the monuments to be a disrespectful reminder of the violence inflicted upon Pueblo communities. Bronze statues of the conquistador, Juan de Onate, were targeted during the protests. Onate is infamous for an incident in which his soldiers slaughtered 800 Acoma people, enslaved most of the remaining survivors, and ordered a foot to be severed from 24 Acoma men as retribution for their rebellion. The protests left behind a divided community and represent the context in which Tse Tsan began the Rudolfo Anaya Mural Project.

The mural had two purposes. The first was to acknowledge the legacy of Rudolfo Anaya. The second was to appeal to the Spanish communities that felt the protests were an erasure of their culture. The future of New Mexico will be composed of every heritage. Coexistence will be found in celebrating those that uplifted our communities. This mural was approved by the Espanola City Council and is located at the Lucero Center in Espanola, NM.