L.A. Xicano
Mapping Another LA: The Chicano Art Movement
Catalog published to accompany exhibition of the same name
The Getty Foundation Initiative: Pacific Standard Time: Art in Los Angeles 1945—1980
UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Press
Curated by Chon A. Noriega (Editor), Terezita Romo (Editor), Pilar Tompkins Rivas (Editor)
Gold Medal Winner, West-Pacific – Best Regional Non-Fiction – 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards
ISBN-10: 0895511452
ISBN-13: 978-0895511454
One city, five exhibitions, more than eighty artists. An unprecedented view of Chicano art.
Organized by the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center and curated by Chon A. Noriega, Terezita Romo, and Pilar Tompkins Rivas
Art Along the Hyphen: The Mexican-American Generation
Autry National Center, October 14, 2011—January 8, 2012
Icons of the Invisible: Oscar Castillo
Fowler Museum at UCLA, September 25, 2011—February 26, 2012
Mapping Another L.A.: The Chicano Art Movement
Fowler Museum at UCLA, October 16, 2011—February 26, 2012
Mural Remix: Sandra de la Loza
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, October 15, 2011—January 22, 2012
Chican@s Collect: The Durón Family Collection
UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Library, September 22, 2011—December 9, 2011
Exhibitions curated by Chon A. Noriega, Terezita Romo and Pilar Tompkins Rivas. The exhibition catalog for L.A. Xicano explores the diverse artistic contributions of Mexican American and Chicano artists to American art and to Los Angeles’s artistic development since 1945. The volume’s six illustrated essays examine the life and works of the dozens of artists and photographers whose works are displayed and document the important role of artists’ groups. The authors consider these artists and their work in the context of the turbulent history of the time, particularly the development of the Chicano Movement. A plate section features works from each of the four exhibitions.
Artist Statement
I began my work with Sister Karen Bocallero and Self Help Graphic’s Barrio Mobile Art Studio (BMAS) in 1975. I had just returned from Spain and entered into the MFA Printmaking Program at Cal State University, Long Beach. I remember that I was nervous applying for my first “art” job and very happy when Sister Karen chose to hire me. In those early days Self Help’s offices were located on Brooklyn Ave. in the heart of Boyle Heights. At that time the Barrio Mobile Art Studio (BMAS) was funded by a grant from the California Art Council. Sister Karen, Sister Pius, Sister Beth, and Rene Acosta were the driving force behind Self Help’s vision and programs. Michael Amescua and I served as the lead artists, traveling to community elementary schools and centers along with several visiting artists. BMAS would drive up to a new location and work with students over an entire week to produce silkscreen prints, sculpture, photography, and mixed media projects “with and about the community.”
Working with the Barrio Mobile Art Studio marks the beginning of my interest and study of Mesoamerican and indigenous history, culture, and ceremony. The BMAS curriculum focused on developing young students’ appreciation of their history and culture. Images of Mesoamerican architecture, icons, and gods were used as a visual resource in teaching students and inspiring culturally relevant art projects.
My entrance into the Chicano art scene also began with the Barrio Mobile Art Studio and SHG’s Dia de Los Muertos Celebrations. I remember how small and intimate our first celebration was! We cut papel picado, constructed traditional “altares” with fruit and palm leaves, prepared traditional foods, and shared a quiet and thoughtful vigil to remember our ancestors and celebrate life. We all joined in a circle and Sister Karen offered a prayer while burning copal sat at the center of our “family circle.”
Artists included: Carlos Almaraz, Michael Amescua, Robert Arenivar, Judith F. Baca, Guillermo Bejarano, David Botello, John Bright, Armando Cabrera, Barbara Carrasco, Gustavo Casillas, Leonard Castellanos, Oscar Castillo, Isabel Castro, José Cervantes, Yreina Cervantez, Manuel Cruz, Roberto “Beto” de la Rocha, Richard Duardo, Elsa Flores, Gus Frias, Danny Gaytan, Harry Gamboa Jr., Luis Garza, Ignacio Gomez, Don Juan/Johnny D. Gonzalez, José Luis (Joe) Gonzalez, Lucila Villaseñor Grijalva, Gronk, Richard Haro, Wayne Healy, Judithe Hernández, Sergio Hernandez, Willie F. Herrón III, Heather Hewitt, Richard Jimenez, Leo Limón, David Lopez, Gilbert “Magu” Sánchez Luján, Joel Suro Olivares, David Ramirez, Humberto Rivera, Joe D. Rodriguez, Richard Rodriguez, Frank Romero, Richard Rueda, Humberto Sandoval, David Alfaro Siqueiros, James Tartan, John Valadez, Patssi Valdez, Linda Vallejo, Agnès Varda, Carlos Venegas, Manuel Venegas, New Commissions or Projects, Kathy Gallegos, Reyes Rodriguez, Arturo Romo-Santillano, Ana Serrano
Dr. Karen Mary Davalos, chair and associate professor of Chicana/o studies at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, speaks on the creation of community-based Chicana/o arts organizations and their social / political impact.
Full Publication Purchase Publication UCLA CSRC Website Press Release List of Events & Artists UCLA CSRC Vallejo Oral History InterviewFowler Museum at UCLA Website