Siqueiros dead

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33427, 8 January 1974, Page 9

Siqueiros dead

(N. Z. P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) MEXICO CITY, January 7.

The Mexican muralist, David Alfaro Siqueiros, who died yesterday at the age of 88, stunned the world with his bold concept of three-dimen-sional sculptural painting.

His works were as controversial and as well known as those of two other Mexican moralists who died be-

fore him, Diego Rivera and |Jose Clemente Orozco. ( Siqueiros was described in 'the early 1970 s as “an old man with new ideas.” His largest and most ambitious work, an octagonal culture centre covered inside and out with paintings, opened in Mexico City in December, 1971. He was 74 years old when >he completed the centre, (known as the Polyforum. It is dominated on the interior walls by his overpowering “March of Humanity." which, with an over-all dimension of 26,000 square feet, is reputed to be the world's largest mural. Siqueiros was well known for his Left-wing political views, which landed him in prison for four years: he portrayed the history of humanity as one of oppres sion, frustration, and exploitation. Objecting to obscurity in art, he used clear symbols: a black body hanging limp after a lynching; children being trampled under-foot; ( Fascist forces marching with fixed bayonets; man reach(ing for the Moon and leaving endless misery below 'him. I The theme of the work is universal, but most of the faces are those of the round j- featured, copper • toned Mexican Indians who appear ; in so many of the works of (Siqueiros, and of the two other great muralists, Rivera and Orozco. “I am an optimist” Siqueiros once told reporters, “I think it is optimistic to be able to show the misery of the world.” Siqueiros was a member of the Mexican Communist Pary for decades, in spite of periodical clashes with its leadership. After a series of disturbances among Mexican railway workers, he was imprisoned in August, 1960, and 19 • months later he was sentenced to eight years. Detained against the noisy protests of Left-wing artists all over the world, he produced in his cell what some critics claim to be his finest works. He was freed in July, 1964, by special pardon from the President. President Echeverria has (ordered the highest funeral ■ honours for Siqueiros, whose ■ body will lie in state ror 24 i hours at the Palace of Fine i Arts, in the centre of Mexico s.City, an honour usually re'served for Heads of Slate.