The Whitewashing Of The 1932 America Tropical Mural In LA

By Tia Tenopia

In 1932, the Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siquieros was invited to Los Angeles by the Chouinard Art Institute. During his six month stay, he painted three murals, the most controversial of which was painted on a building in Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles.

“América Tropical,” was so controversial that it was whitewashed shortly after it’s completion. Jesús Treviño told the story of the whitewashing in his classic documentary (1971) also titled “América Tropical.”