In his curator's statement, Jose Lozano explains his intentions for the show:
I hope this exhibit engages the viewer to ponder, analyze, make connections, delight, dismiss, scrutinize and contemplate the diverse works made by Mexican and Chicano artists.
The term Chicano Art I immediately link to the groundbreaking 1974 exhibition of Los Four held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It was the first ever show featuring Chicano artists at a major museum, and included Frank Romero, Gilbert "Magu" Lujan, Carlos Almaraz, Beto De La Rocha, and Judith Hernandez.
Sister Karen Boccalero who established Self-Help Graphics art studio in East Los Angeles is another powerful pioneering and influential presence who fueled and shaped the notion of Chicano art, as evident in the many artworks produced there included in this exhibit.
I took some photos of the various artworks, because I felt like each piece had something to teach me.
"The Closing of Whittier Blvd." by Frank Romero. This piece portrays Los Angeles County sheriffs closure of Whittier Blvd. in Los Angeles, which was a popular place for Chicano youth to "cruise" in their cars in the 1970s. For a fascinating interview done by the Smithsonian with Frank Romero, click HERE.
"La Carucha de Chuck & Angie" by Gilbert "Magu" Lujan, who was part of the iconic Los Four.
This is a piece by Gronk, who was part of another influential Chicano artist collective in the 1970s called ASCO.
"Barbara Carroso" from the Undoing Series by Harry Gamboa, who was also a member of ASCO.
Portrait of Frida Kahlo by Manuel Alvarez Bravo.
"Flight of Fancy" by Frank Gutierrez.
"Like Father, Like Son" by Sergio Vasquez.
"Voice Within" by Linda Vallejo and "Portrait" by Yolanda Gonzalez.
Untitled by Jaime Zacarias aka Germs. Germs has shown his work at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Vincent Price Gallery, and other places most LA artists dream of showing.
Here's my friend Josue Rivas, a fine artist himself, standing in front of a piece called "Virgin" by Jaime Zacarias aka Germs.
Jose is discussing a wood block print by Artemio Rodriguez, founder of La Mano Press.
"Domingo 7 2004" by Miguel Angel Murillo.
"Not Yet" by Roberto Gutierrez.
"Laugh Now, Cry Later" by Salomon Huerta, who has shown his work all over the world, including at the Gagosian Gallery in London.
"Budweiser Man" by Ricardo Estrada.
Here is a portrait of the curator, Jose Lozano, who is an amazing artist as well.
Here's a piece by Jose Lozano. All in all, the exhibit opened my eyes to the richness that is Chicano art, past and present. As a gallery owner myself, I hope to work with Jose and some of the artists I learned about in this exhibit, to maybe help introduce some of them to the Fullerton art community.
