"This study explores Diego Rivera’s murals as intersections of visual art, sacred space, and cultural resistance. Drawing from cultural semiotics, postcolonial theory, and thinkers like Walter Benjamin and Mikhail Bakhtin, it argues that Rivera’s work transforms public spaces into sites of collective memory and national identity. His murals, particularly The History of Mexico, challenge Eurocentric visual narratives by centering indigenous and mestizo figures, aligning with Walter Mignolo’s concept of decolonial aesthetics. These artworks function not only as political statements but also echo the symbolic language of sacred and festive traditions, such as Día de los Muertos. Rivera uses vibrant colors and monumental forms to create a visual discourse that bridges the material and spiritual, inviting communal reflection. His murals are positioned as hyperreal constructs that both reflect and shape history, offering a participatory space for cultural reclamation. Ultimately, Rivera’s art exemplifies how visual literacy can transform public imagery into a force for identity and resistance.
