Chicana Art & Music

The art and music of the Chicana Movement allowed the advocates of civil rights speak their mind and spread a valuable message without being so direct or violent towards their oppressors. Their artwork and music spoke volumes about the social justice they were trying to achieve. The Chicanas created and centered their art and literary art on racism, human rights, and equality in education and employment. Much of the Chicano art movement was developed in the 1970s. It consisted of muralist imagery and much of the artwork is still seen today. The imagery constructed by the Chicanas created a unique style within the southwest as well as the northwest and even though the movement subsided in the 1980s, the muralist art still lives on and has evolved into the Post Chicana Movement. The style was consistent throughout the west and this just shows the deep roots/identity of La Raza. Each piece of work reflects the same relevance and appeal. 

Artwork

Controversial Guadalupe
Artist: Alma Lopez

"Their work wasn't disrespectful and my work isn't either. It's not about knocking La Virgen's image as a mother but about showing alternative identities that illustrate more the lived realities of Chicanas."

Making Empanadas
Artist: Carmen Lomas Garza

"The Chicano movement of the 1960s and 1970s helped give her new pride in her mixed Native American and Spanish ancestry. In college she decided to dedicate her art to the Mexican American community to show her gratitude and celebrate her rich mestizo heritage."

Who's the Illegal Alien Pilgrim?
Artist: Yolanda Lopez
"...as an artist it confirmed my belief that the subject of art resides within our own lives."

Literature 

 

Women's Tales from the New Mexico WPA is a gathering of stories from Hispanic women. There is vivid detail of these women's accounts and cultural struggles.

Edited by: Tey Diana Rebolledo and Maria Teresa Marquez

Rebolledo is a Professor of Spanish at the University of New Mexico and the author of several Chicana literatures. In 1997 she received the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (NACCS) Scholar Award. Marquez is also a professor at the University of New Mexico. She founded a discussion network devoted to Chicano Literature.  

Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales


I am Joquin is an epic poem of pride, trying to identify with both Mexican and American. It recalls the struggles of Chicanos trying to achieve economic justice and the equal protection of rights.

I am Joaquin

Music

Linda Ronstadt

"La Reilera"

Joan Baez

"De Colores"
De Colores was one of the Chicanos' unofficial anthems during the Chicano Movement, heard and sang by many of the United Farm Workers. 

Chicana artists and musical artists like Alma Lopez, Carmen Lomas Garza, Yolanda Lopez, Ester Hernandez, Judy Baca, Cecilia Alvarez, Lydia Mendoza, Linda Rondstadt, and Alice Bag have all gave a foundation for the Post Chicana Movement and paved the way to allow others to take a stand against their oppression. Although the imagery and sounds of the movement have evolved and became modern, much of the same struggles, fights, protests, and identity of the Chicanas’ are the same as they were in the 60s and 70s.