SAN DIEGO – A piece of San Diego’s art history is headed to the state capital.
Salvador Torres created the painting, “Viva La Raza.” Torres was an instrumental figure in the evolution of Chicano park and it's murals.
It was painted in 1969 and became an iconic piece during the Chicano arts movement. It was in response “to derogatory advertising about the Chicano Community” during at the time.
“It has a message to humanity, a simple message that "long live humanity" and it all its best possibilities,” Torres said.
There's just one problem. After all these decades, the painting needed restoration work.
The Balboa Park's Art Conservation Centercompleted the work this week. The work is estimated at around $4,000 so there is a crowdfunding effort to help pay for the restoration.
Torres has until May 31 to raise the money, that's when he will ship it to the Capitol.
All donors will be acknowledged in a letter to the State Senate. Anyone who donates $500.00 or more, will receive a signed, dated, numbered and limited print of his most recent work which are watercolor images telling the Mayan story of the birth of corn. If you would like to donate, here is the link.
“Viva La Raza” has traveled to more than 10 museums. However, Torres is excited to have it displayed at the 2017-2018 California Contemporary Art Collection in Sacramento. He says the artwork has a message that is as relevant now as it was when he painted it nearly five decades ago.
“To send a message of ‘long live humanity’ is important now as we’re going through some serious crisis in our country and throughout the world,” Torres said.
