All three panels show a hooded figure. The first panel is blue and the figure has a halo around their head. The second panel is yellow and the figure's hood is green. The third panel is a dark blue color and the figure's face is crossed out in red.

Irlanda Beltran is a GVSU Alum, studying both Graphic Design and Visual Studies. Utilizing her design skills, Beltran uses vibrant colors, typography, and vivid imagery to raise awareness around issues such as gender-based violence, mental health, gun control, and homophobia. She strives to portray powerful messages through her art on behalf of those who cannot. Beltran created this mural, Pétalos De Cambio (Petals of Change), for her Graphic Design senior thesis exhibition.

Historically, Mexico has deep-rooted social issues that are often exacerbated by ingrained beliefs and societal norms. This creates barriers to equality and well-being for marginalized individuals centered around homophobia, gender-based violence, and mental health stigma that perpetuate cycles of discrimination and exclusion.

Each panel in Beltran’s mural focuses on one of these social issues prevalent in Mexico. The murals also portray images of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a powerful symbol of not just religion, but Mexican identity. Images of Our Lady of Guadalupe are often associated with everything from motherhood to feminism to social justice. Her image became especially prominent during the Mexican Revolution. Many leaders used the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe as a symbol of fighting against social justice inequalities. Beltran uses the image to represent the people of Mexico, along with powerful phrases such as “homofobia es letal (homophobia is lethal),” “no mas feminicidios (no more femicides)” to harness the power of art and foster a more inclusive society in Mexico.

Mexico has one of the world’s highest femicide rates that continues to increase. Over the past eight years, over 1 million criminal investigations were opened for violence against women, but less than 1,000 were classified as femicides, murders perpetrated by men of women or girls. The rest were categorized as domestic abuse or other crimes that carry lesser criminal sentences. These legal loopholes and gender biases in the legal system allow many violent attacks against women in Mexico to go unpunished. Statistics for homophobic crimes are even more difficult to classify. While federal anti-discrimination laws exist, they are often not enforced. Many homophobic crimes are misclassified or go unreported for fear of retaliation.

In her work, Beltran seeks to challenge these stereotypes, promote empathy and understanding, and amplify the voices of women and other marginalized communities. By using iconic images, like that of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Beltran pushes back against the systems of power that have traditionally repressed marginalized people in Mexico, while asking the viewer to realize the injustices around them. Beltran reflects, “By depicting scenes of love, acceptance, and resilience, the murals strive to create public spaces that celebrate diversity and affirm the dignity of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or mental health status. Ultimately, the purpose is to envision a future where the murals serve as symbols of hope and solidarity, guiding us towards a more just and compassionate society for generations to come."