Detroit Industry DIA

The Detroit Industry Murals are a series of twenty-seven frescoes painted by Mexican artist Diego Rivera in 1932–33, commissioned by Edsel Ford and the Detroit Arts Commission. They are housed in the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) and are considered one of Rivera's greatest achievements — and one of the finest examples of Mexican muralism in the United States.

The murals depict the manufacturing processes of the Ford River Rouge Complex, celebrating the workers, machines, and raw industrial power that defined Detroit at the height of its automotive era. Rivera spent months studying the plant, sketching workers and machinery before translating the scene into sweeping, monumental form.

When visiting the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) as a youngster, I was so fascinated with this huge mural in the museum's courtyard. It was the first wall mural I ever saw in my life. The mural spans all four walls of the Rivera Court. The two largest walls — the North and South walls — each measure approximately 17 feet 8½ inches × 45 feet wide.

This puzzle is a photographic copy of the wall mural depicting the engine production, conveyor systems, and the coordination of workers of different ethnicities as central heroic figures within the Ford River Rouge Plant.

The workforce evolved from predominantly (95%) white male workers during the 1950s to an increase of African American male workers (20–25%), and a slight increase in women workers during the 1960s.

Most African American men came from the South to work in the urban factories. My father worked for Ford for a short period of time, but my Great Uncle, Robert Newton, retired from Ford Motor Company. He was so proud to be a Ford worker as opposed to working for General Motors or Chrysler, the competing auto companies. I remember when my father purchased a Buick 225 — my great uncle was so upset. He had only purchased Ford vehicles during his lifetime.

My brother, James, was a Chrysler factory worker during the '90s to the 2000s, when the company swung between innovation and instability, and employees lived through both the highs of success and the lows of corporate upheaval.

Factory life was part of my life through my family members, which makes this puzzle significant and fun to complete. After analyzing the pieces, it was easy to sort by color, factory section, and then by the heads and faces of the men. Staring at the puzzle pieces is exactly how I stand in the Rivera Court and stare at the mural wall when visiting the DIA. Amazing!!!