Finding aid for the Latino/Chicano, Lowrider and Gangbanger T-Shirt Art collection 0513
Sue Luftschein
USC Libraries Special Collections
2019 July
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-0189
specol@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Latino/Chicano, Lowrider and Gangbanger T-Shirt Art collection
Identifier/Call Number: 0513
Physical Description:
6.4 linear feet.
5 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1980-1995, undated
Abstract: The collection consists of display samples of Latino, Chicano, lowrider and gangbanger t-shirt designs, decals, patches, and
cards from the 1980s to the 1990s. Some of the designs were supplied by Francisco's Exotic T's, Photo-Lith International,
and SSI. Many of the designs draw on gang-related street art forms--tattoo flash and graffiti placas. There are also designs
inspired by Christian iconography; album cover design; and lowrider artwork. Some designs reference Latin music; others are
targeted to Latinas, children and military veterans. There are designs emphasizing Central and South American countries, as
well as some U.S. cities and states. A few designs reference Chicano Power and Mojado Power. The items included in the collection
were originally displayed in a now-defunct store in San Francisco's Mission District, and customers would select illustrations
that would be heat-transferred onto their own clothing or onto t-shirts sold by the shop
Container: 1
Container: 2
Container: 3
Container: 4
Container: 5
The items included in the collection were originally displayed in a now-defunct store in San Francisco's Mission District,
and customers would select illustrations that would be heat-transferred onto their own clothing or onto t-shirts sold by the
shop.
The collection consists of display samples of Latino, Chicano, lowrider and gangbanger t-shirt designs, decals, patches, and
cards from the 1980s to the 1990s. The display samples are printed on off-white or black tyvek and heat transfer sheets;
many of the tyvek samples are in the shape of t-shirts. Also included are heat transfer patches, decals, and greeting cards.
The samples and items are in both color and black and white. Some of the designs were supplied by Francisco's Exotic T's,
Photo-Lith International, and SSI. Only two designs have identified illustrators: "Zaraic" and "Clapez". Many of the designs
draw on gang-related street art forms--tattoo flash and graffiti placas. There are also designs inspired by Christian iconography;
album cover design; and lowrider artwork. Some designs reference Latin music; others are targeted to Latinas, children and
military veterans. There are designs emphasizing Central and South American countries, as well as some U.S. cities and states.
A few designs reference Chicano Power and Mojado Power.
Advance notice required for access.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Boeckmann Center Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
[Box/folder no. or item name], Latino/Chicano, Lowrider and Gangbanger T-Shirt Art collection, Collection no. 0519, Boeckmann
Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Bolerium Books, May 4, 2011.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Chicano movement -- Archival resources
Gangs -- California -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Hispanic American art -- California -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Lowriders -- Archival resources
Mexican American art -- California -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Mexican Americans -- Ethnic identity -- Archival resources
Popular culture -- California -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Social movements in art -- Archival resources
T-shirt industry -- Archival resources
Wearable art -- California -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Graphic arts
Textile printing