By Marina von Anrep
Between 1948 and 1949 David Alfaro Siqueiros and his wife Angélica spent some periods of time in San Miguel de Allende since he had been invited to teach a course on mural painting at the School of Fine Arts.
His arrival immediately mobilized the atmosphere. With the energy that characterized him, he gathered a group of teachers and students who assisted him in the realization of a mural, as without practice there is no learning.
In the building of the Fine Arts School, in what was formerly a convent, there was an optimal vaulted room to study and carry out all the stages of realization of a mural work, so he put everyone in motion. Leonard Brooks was one of his closest collaborators and above all his friend.
For hours they worked on the mural and Siqueiros explained his understanding of art, but they also went on walks to the countryside and held social gatherings. These were moments that, judging by the photographs that Reva took, were of very pleasant recreation.
For Siqueiros, art should not be detached from the social struggle, so, shortly after arriving at the school, he could not help but organize a strike. Most of the teachers and students enthusiastically joined, demanding the dismissal of the director and the foundation of a new school academically accepted by the National Institute of Fine Arts.
Although they achieved their goals, a year later came the revenge. The former director in collusion with the village priest, unleashed a smear campaign against foreign artists. Leonard’s friendship with Siqueiros automatically made them communists, which was not just anything in McCarthy’s senate days.
Their bohemian artists life made them seem to be alcoholics and homosexuals, through the narrow morality of the small town. Consequently, the Brooks, along with six other Americans, were deported to Laredo. The case was resolved fairly quickly, thanks to the telegrams of Siqueiros and the influences of General Ignacio Beleta, who was an admirer of Leonard’s work.
The general interceded for them before the Secretary of Interior Affairs. A week later the Brooks were back.The Brooks never linked their work to political stances or activism, yet their friendship with the Siqueiros couple lasted for many long years. Within this close relationship, it must be emphasized that in the archive of the Siqueiros Public Art Collection there are about 15 copies of Reva’s photographs which are well preserved.
«A smiling woman carrying a baby» was a favorite of Siqueiros who documented the woman as one of the female characters on his Mural called: For a complete Health for all Mexicans, which he made between 1953 and 1957 in the lobby of the Hospital de la Raza.
Art Exhibition
Leonard & Reva Brooks
“San Miguel’s Art Pioneers, 1947-2011”
Open till March 5th
Special presentations Sat & Sun at 12:30 and Wed at 6pm
Casa Europa
San Francisco 23, Centro
