The Art That Made Mexico: Paradise, Power and Prayers

In this second episode, Alinka argues indigenous artists not only projected the power of the elites in its ancient civilisations but became power-brokers in the struggles for political dominance. Power has changed hands quickly and often violently in Mexico and Alinka looks at how art has played an extraordinary role in providing a national story of unity and stability.

From Diego Rivera, who painted a spectacular sweep of Mexican history as he and the government who commissioned him wanted it understood to Frida Kahlo, who used her considerable influence to make the personal political in gender politics and who amplified indigenous voices. Alinka also investigates how today, nowhere is it more important to express Mexican power and identity than at its borders, such as in Tijuana, where the creativity is fired by matters of everyday politics and the proximity to the US.