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| OUR JOURNEY Starting at the lower left hand side of the painting, the image of the farm fields and workers pays homage to the long hours of manual labor performed by millions of Mexican American farm laborers. The kneeling woman scrubbing floors and the bent gardener in the bushes honor the commitment of millions of parents working long hours for low pay as they dreamed of better lives for their children. The brick wall behind the gardener represents the discrimination and prejudices of those days that prohibited equality. The floating bricks throughout the painting carry the names of MABA’s founders from the 1962 photo of the Los Angeles Daily Journal. The founders recognized the need of an organization of committed attorneys seeking equality and fighting for the needs of the Mexican American community. They recognized that because of their education they were uniquely qualified to lead the struggle for equality in the courts, provide scholarships, and become a significant voice and influence in theadministration of justice. The two teenagers in the middle of the lower middle of the painting, represent the product of the founders’ dreams. The teenagers look ahead at the opportunities that have been provided through the efforts of their ancestors. The manual laborer on the lower right of the painting exemplifies the hard workers that built buildings whose owners in some instances would not rent to Mexican Americans. The Chicanos’ emergence in the sixties and seventies vocalized the pride of the community and sought equal rights in education, housing and employment. To the left of the two teenagers are studying students honoring the significant committed hours necessary to prepare for the legal profession. In the center of the painting is a deputy sheriff guarding the interior part of the courtroom where only attorneys and court personnel are allowed. Behind him is 1960 the year when The Mexican American Lawyers Club was founded (subsequently changed to The Mexican American Bar Association-MABA). The gold hue color which commences at the base of the painting and expands throughout the center of the work symbolizes the strong desire of Mexican Americans to succeed and contribute. The gold color expands in the art-piece recognizing the increasing number of MABA members as they gather before the bench. To the left is an attorney arguing her case before a jury. Above her is the American Flag which flows into the three California Supreme Court Mexican American Justices, Cruz Reynoso, Carlos Moreno, and John A. Arguelles, who were appointed to California’s highest court. To their left are high-rise buildings where many MABA members now have their offices, some of which were built by their ancestors. This painting is my attempt to convey the fifty year journey of MABA, its members, and their ancestors as we celebrate MABA’s anniversary this year of 2010. (Artist’s comment: As I painted this painting and placed the last names of the founders on each brick my mind returned to those early years and a sadness settled over me for those who did not survive to witness the fifty year success of their vision. I dedicate this painting to them and thank MABA for the opportunity it created for me to take this journey.) Herman Sillas Only sixty (60) Giclée signed copies(18 x36) on rag paper of this painting will be available for purchase at $275.00 each plus tax and shipping. They may be ordered at www.hermansillas.com or by reaching Herman Sillas at sillasla@aol.com or (213) 362 1400 |
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