The National Museum of Mexican Art is located in the heart of Pilsen, Chicago. The current exhibitions include
“Nuestras Historias,” “Día de Los Muertos: Journey of the soul,” “Maquila Blues, Oscar Moya,” and “Hecho en casa, Rubin & Paula Torres Gallery.” Each exhibit has its own importance in the culture of Mexico.

“Nuestras Historias” consists of different and famous ancient and modern Mexican art. This gallery reflects on constructing an identity that showcases unique and diverse Mexican stories in North America. Two unique pieces in this section include a painting titled,“The Legend of the Volcanoes” and “Folk Art” handicrafts. “The legend of the Volcanoes” tells the story of indigenous lovers who were bound to be together. Because of a pre-arranged marriage, Mixtli the mountain princess had the bearing of not marrying her true love, Popoca (eagle warrior).

In the “Folk Art” exhibit, there were low fire ceramics and other depictions of the Day of the Dead. Mexican Folk Art comes in a variety of different vibrant colors and also in many forms  such as in low-fire ceramics, papier-mâché, wood, and other materials.

The main exhibit was “Día de Los Muertos: Journey of the soul” which is the museum’s annually exhibit showcased just right before Día de Los Muertos and through mid-December. This annual tradition honors deceased loved ones who have passed away sometime throughout the year. This year, the exhibit featured memorials for the lives lost in Orlando’s “Pulse” shooting, lives lost in Chicago due to police brutality, beloved Latino stars, and members of the Chicago community.

The exhibit highlighted famous relations of the Day of the Dead celebrations, including decorations for tombstones, memorials, photographs, and art that cherishes the holiday. Tombstones are decorated with lots of different colors, flowers, candles, and favorites of the person whose life was lost; it was a sign of respect to decorate the memorial with a lot of time and specialty, just the way a loved one would have done.

Oscar Moya’s “Maquila Blues” is a local exhibit that features his art which follows a theme: borders. In his art, he focuses on how the Mexican-American border divides families, the lives of immigrants crossing the border, and the journey that Mexican immigrants take to America.

In one of his pieces titled “Migrant Journey,”  a man crossing the border with wings of a Monarch butterfly is depicted, representing  how a butterfly migrates to new places for a hope of a better life. Another drawing of his is symbolic in showing how immigration is beautiful and that once someone crosses the border, they have the privilege to achieve all their hopes.

Visit the National Museum of Mexican Art which is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, with free admission to learn more about Mexican Art.