ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses popular graphic art in Mexico, a place where this form of advertising has a long tradition and its presence is widespread across cities and towns. The professionals who produce graphic art are called rotulistas, a term that broadly encompasses what in English are painters, letterists and graphic artists. Rotulistas paint their work in those neighbourhoods and districts considered popular. In Mexico, popular graphic art is a communicative artefact that conveys a concrete and synthetic message. It is a painting technique that combines lettering and drawing and is presented on a lintel or on a wall close to a commercial establishment. The messages conveyed are purely commercial, and popular graphic art must not be considered an artistic mural, such as those realized by the great Mexican muralists. It is painting on a wall using letters, typographies, colours and drawing with the intention of transmitting a message.
