Ester Hernandez graphic art collection CEMA 140
Mari Khasmanyan and Natalia Gonzalez, 2018.
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara 93106-9010
special@library.ucsb.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Title: Ester Hernandez graphic art collection
Identifier/Call Number: CEMA 140
Physical Description:
2.17 Linear Feet
13 posters
Date (inclusive): 1976-2017
Abstract: Ester Hernandez is an internationally renowned Chicana visual artist based in San Francisco, California. Her art represents
her activism in sociopolitical movements that range from her involvement in pioneering the Chicano Arts Movement in the 60's,
to pieces that highlight issues of social justice, civil rights, women's rights, and the Farm Worker Movement. This small
poster collection includes 13 of Ester's artworks, including iconic pieces such as
Sun Mad,
Libertad,
California Special and more. Materials range from 1976-2017 and are organized alphabetically in one flat-file drawer.
Physical Location: Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Language of Material: This collection is predominantly in English with some materials in Spanish.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Research Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Department of Special Research 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], Ester Hernandez graphic art collection, CEMA 140. Department of Special Research Collections, UC
Santa Barbara Library
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Ester Hernandez.
Processing Information
Preliminary guide created by Callie Bowdish and Daisy Martinez, 2012.
Finding aid processed by Mari Khasmanyan and Natalia Gonzalez, 2018.
Biographical / Historical
"Ester Hernandez was born in California's San Joaquin Valley to a Mexican/Yaqui farm worker family. The UC Berkeley graduate
is an internationally acclaimed San Francisco-based visual artist. She is best known for her depiction of Latina/Native women
through her pastels, prints and installations. Her work reflects social, political, ecological and spiritual themes.
Hernandez has had numerous national and international solo and group shows. Among others, her work is included in the permanent
collections of the National Museum of American Art – Smithsonian; Library of Congress; Legion of Honor, San Francisco; National
Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago; Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, Mexico City; Museum of Contemporary Native
Art, Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM; Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Her artistic and personal archives
are housed at Stanford University."
Biography retrieved from Ester's website: www.esterhernandez.com/about.php
Scope and Contents
Ester Hernandez is an internationally renowned Chicana visual artist based in San Francisco, California. Her art represents
her activism in sociopolitical movements that range from her involvement in pioneering the Chicano Arts Movement in the 60's,
to pieces that highlight issues of social justice, civil rights, women's rights, and the Farm Worker Movement. This small
poster collection includes 13 of Ester's artworks, including iconic pieces such as
Sun Mad,
Libertad,
California Special and more. Materials range from 1976-2017 and are organized alphabetically in one flat-file drawer.
Related Materials
For Ester Hernandez's official papers at Stanford University, please visit: Ester M. Hernandez Papers, M1301. Dept. of Special
Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Pieces of Ester's artwork can be found in many CEMA collections. Researchers may wish to also consult:
-Self Help Graphics and Art Archives, CEMA 3. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
-La Raza Silkscreen Center/La Raza Graphics Collection, CEMA 163. Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Astrid Hadad, La Diosa Peligrosa
2007
Physical Description: Silkscreen; Poster: 22 x 30 in.
Description/Comments
Poster features Mexican artist Astrid Hadad singing into a microphone while holding a smoking gun with her left hand against
a black background. She is wearing a sombrero and a dress printed with skulls. Her dress also features Mesoamerican stone
sculptures on her hips and aloe vera leaves as a tail. Artist's signature was included in the design of the original pastel
piece that this was screenprinted from, and is located in the lower right corner of the piece.
California Special
1988
Physical Description: Silkscreen; Poster: 20 x 26 in.
Description/Comments
Poster includes a young girl wearing a white printed flour sack dress sitting on stacked "California Special Flour" sacks.
The background includes a table with stacked printed flour sacks underneath it, including one which matches the girl's dress,
and a blue printed "California Special Flour" sack leaning against it. Print includes artist signature in pencil in lower
right corner. Ed. 42/74.
Heroes and Saints
1992
Physical Description: Silkscreen; Poster size: 30 x 23 in.
Description/Comments
Poster displays a green field and orange orchard with a plane flying over dropping orange pesticides. A large skeleton is
following the plane's pesticide trail. Shadows of protesting campesinos and a banner are seen across the bottom. The bottom
of the poster reads "Heroes and Saints" along with other information about the play. Signed by artist in pencil in lower right
corner. Ed. 4/57
Homenaje a César Chavez
1993
Physical Description: Silkscreen; Poster: 30 x 22 in.
Description/Comments
Poster is formatted like a postage stamp. It features Cesar Chavez in front of red, white and blue United Farm Workers logo.
The blue eagle in the logo includes the print of the Aztec Sun Stone. The poster reads "Si Se Puede!," "César Chávez" and
"1927-1993." Signed by artist in pencil in lower right corner. Ed. 8/101.
Honor Our Past, Celebrate Our Future
2007
Physical Description: Silkscreen; 21.75 x 29.75 in.
Description/Comments
Poster features an older woman wearing a rebozo (shawl) standing behind a bucket of flowers that she is selling on the street.
Standing on her side is a young boy wearing a white guayabera (shirt) and holding a white chihuahua. On the floor, are two
young girls wearing embroidered blouses and reading stacks of books. Signed by artist in pencil in lower right corner. Ed.
104/105
Libertad
1976
Physical Description: Silkscreen; Poster: 10 x 16 in.
Description/Comments
Poster features the Statue of Liberty being carved by a woman standing on one of the new etchings. The new carving ends at
the Statue of Liberty's chest. The carving is of an Aztec warrior. The bottom of the Statue reads "Aztlan!" Signed by artist
in pencil in lower right corner. Artist proof.
Nasty Liberty
2017
Physical Description: Silkscreen; Poster: 14.5 in x 10.5 in.
Description/Comments
The poster features the Statue of Liberty wearing large hoop earrings. She has the Virgen de Guadalupe and the phrase "Nasty"
tattooed on her forearm. She is holding a spray paint can and painting the word "RESIST" in red on a darker red background.
Signed by artist in pencil in lower right corner. Ed. 3/25
Señorita Extraviada
2008
Physical Description: Silkscreen; 17.5 x 22 in.
Description/Comments
Poster features a black image of a straight faced women staring at the camera. The background is a handwritten report of a
missing woman, including text on when she was last seen, her clothes and a request for information and help. The text reads
"Señorita Extraviada," "Missing Young Woman" and "a documentary by Lourdes Portillo." Signed by artist in pencil in lower
right corner.
Sun Mad
1982
Physical Description: Silkscreen; Poster: 17 x 22 in.
Description/Comments
Poster mimics the design of the Sun-Maid raisins box. Instead of a maid, however, is a skeleton holding a basket of green-yellow
grapes. Text reads: "SUN MAD Raisins unnaturally grown with Insecticides, Miticides, Herbicides, Fungicides." Signed by artist
in pencil in lower right corner. Ed. 53/100
Tejido de los Desaparecidos
1984
Physical Description: Silkscreen; Poster Size: 22 x 17 in.
Description/Comments
This silkscreen poster imitates a quilt pattern. Within the pattern there are small skulls and helicopters. The general pattern
is black and white, with red splatters. Signed by artist in artist in pencil in lower right corner. Ed. 81/100
Viva Gloria Anzaldúa
2006
Physical Description: Silkscreen; Poster: 20 x 30 in.
Description/Comments
Poster features Gloria Anzaldúa knee deep in the ocean. The background features a coastline and a seagull landing on a rock.
The bottom corner of the image includes California popies and a tree with the Virgen de Guadalupe etched in it as well as
a sugar skeleton holding candles and book. The text on the image reads "One day...I will walk through walls, grow wings and
fly." Signed by artist in pencil in lower right corner. Ed. 4/4
Wanted
2010
Physical Description: Silkscreen; Poster: 22 x 30 in.
Description/Comments
Poster mimics a "Wanted" poster. The poster includes two images of an indigenous woman wearing a green starred cloak. The
left image is the woman's profile and the right image portrays the woman staring at the camera with her hands in a prayer
position beneath her face. The text across the top reads: "Wanted," "Terrorist," "La Virgen de Guadalupe," and "Alias: Guadalupe,
Reina de las Americas, Virgencita, Nuestra Madre, Tonantzin, Lupe, Lupita." The text under the images features descriptions
of La Virgen as well as further information on her "criminal record." Artist's statement from website reads "I created
Wanted in response to the recent anti-immigrant/racial profiling situation in Arizona. She represents the resilient spirit of our
people, and that can never be captured or taken away."
Gloria E. Anzaldúa: Memorial Altares Exhibit
2006
