We interviewed Detroit-based artist Elton Monroy Durán, who has painted dozens of murals inspired by Mexican Americans and Latinos. Mural by mural, Monroy Durán invites us to rethink Detroit’s “renaissance” in light of the contributions of the communities of Southwest Detroit, and reminds us that art, like translation, can help us foster mutual understanding and respect.

Through his work, Elton both honors and contributes to Detroit’s Muralist tradition. Almost a century ago, world-renowned Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo arrived in Michigan to create the emblematic Detroit Industry Murals. This masterpiece sought to translate the splendor of the auto industry into art, through the lenses of Mexican Muralism. The murals now stand as a powerful testament to Detroit’s transitional ties and its cosmopolitanism, and became central to the city’s identity.

Although fascination with Mexican art has often coincided with anti-Mexican sentiments and xenophobic policies, the communities of Southwest Detroit continue to thrive. Their stories of struggle and resilience, portrayed in Elton’s murals belong to a broader legacy of translating and celebrating Detroit’s plurality through community-centered art.