Access Restrictions
Use Restrictions
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Processing Information
Biography
Scope and Content
Arrangement
Title: Kathy Vargas photographic art print collection
Identifier/Call Number: CEMA 77
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.67 linear feet
(one oversize flat box)
Date (inclusive): 1983-1985
Abstract: Kathy Vargas is an internationally praised Chicana photographer and artist from San Antonio, Texas, known for her composite
hand-colored photographs that abstract loss and hope, life and death, and sexuality. This collection includes four photographic
art prints by Vargas from 1983-1985. Also included is a folder containing her descriptions of the art prints, as well as a
biography of the artist written by Juan D. Bruce-Novoa.
Physical Location: CEMA oversized rack.
Language of Materials: The collection is in English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of Item], Kathy Vargas photographic art print collection, CEMA 77. Department of Special Research Collections,
UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Acquisition Information
Library purchase, 1987.
Processing Information
Processed by Mari Khasmanyan and Kristen Villamor, 2015
Biography
Kathy Vargas is an internationally praised Chicana photographer and artist from San Antonio, Texas. She attended the University
of Texas where she received both her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1981, and a Masters of Fine Arts degree in 1984. She is possibly
best known for her composite hand-colored photographs that abstract loss and hope, life and death, and sexuality. Her photographs
are sometimes combined with embedded objects such as lace and string.
As an artist of the Chicano movement, she addresses the many gender and race issues that she encountered as a Chicana. As
noted in interviews, her passion for photography at an early age is attributed to her uncle and their frequent trips to his
photography studio in Lardo, Mexico.
She is currently the Chair of the Art and Music Department at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.
Vargas's numerous exhibitions include shows at Sala Uno in Rome and Galería San Martín in Mexico City. Her photographs have
been showcased in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the Southwestern Bell Collection.
Scope and Content
This collection includes four photographic art prints by Vargas from 1983-1985. Also included is a folder containing her descriptions
of the art prints, as well as a biography of the artist written by Juan D. Bruce-Novoa.
Arrangement
Series I. Artwork includes four prints by Kathy Vargas. They are listed alphabetically and are arranged in a folder within
an oversize flat box.