The Visual Story
Description and meaning behind the mural
The mural is titled “Still Here” and the concept is two fold. One being, that Natives are from and part of the land and Riverside’s history. And the other is a play on being unseen as the subjects camouflage into the landscape. This mural invites the viewer to question how they personally take a role in unseen histories and belonging.
All women subjects in this mural represent 3 Native lineages and are representatives of their Riverside county tribes. Each woman has chosen a sacred location that bears the most significance to their family. They were then body painted to blend into the landscape, and photographed in these exact locations.
The 3 landscapes are blended and overlapped, beginning from the high mountains of Idyllwild, traveling down through Banning and ending at Pá‘Čapa (Mt. Rubidoux) . The landscape and people are unified through the water that flows through these landscapes.
First in this scene is respected Cahuilla elder, Rose Ann Hamilton. The rich cultural heritage of the Cahuilla tribe has been kept alive through the generations, and Rose Ann stands as a testament to its enduring legacy. She is part of a long lineage of skilled basket weavers. She is photographed in an undisclosed location in Idyllwild. Here, Rose Ann cares for and maintains this site where she gathers the Deergrass used for weaving. Rose Ann's eyes serve as a window to the past, a constant reminder of the importance of reflection and honoring one's cultural roots.
In the center is Blossom Maciel, Fort Sill Chiricahua Apache Tribe and Mountain Cahuilla descendant. She is a community organizer, film director and mother. Blossom has been passing down her rich cultural heritage through teaching basket weaving for the last 18 years. She is photographed in Banning with a flowing wash painted across her belly to reflect the continued lineage. She engages the viewer with direct eye contact to signify the present moment.
Lastly is Genevieve Aranda, Cahuilla/Serrano descendant and Acjachemen, representing the “future”. She is shown looking out of the frame within and towards the actual Pá‘Čapa (Mt. Rubidoux) visible from this mural. She is only 4 years old and learning to basket weave and speak her native languages. The water flows through her arm representing her power to take action as she represents the future generation as hopeful and proud.