Finding guide to the Simón Silva Papers
CEMA 68
Finding aid prepared by UCSB Special Collections Staff
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Collections
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California, 93106-9010
Phone: (805) 893-3062
Email: special@library.ucsb.edu; URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/special-collections
04/30/2013
Title: Simón Silva papers
Identifier/Call Number: CEMA 68
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.4 linear feet
(1 document box, 1 oversize box, 9 posters)
Date (inclusive): 1991-1997
Abstract: Simón Silva is a Chicano Artist who paints vibrant and colorful images that are reminiscent of his own culture. His collection
to grow over time presently includes notecards, photographic prints, posters, and slides which exemplify his individualistic
artwork. Also included is correspondence relating to the published children's story he illustrated, and a copy of the actual
book,
Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English.
Physical Location: Del Norte
Language of Materials: The collection is in English and Spanish
Conditions Governing Access Note
Service copies of audiovisual items may need to be made before viewing or listening. Please consult Special Collections staff
for further information.
Conditions Governing Use Note
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], Simón Silva Papers, CEMA 68. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University
of California, Santa Barbara.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Simón Silva, 1994.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Michelle Wilder, October 4, 2004, guide updated by Callie Bowdish and Mari Khasmanyan, 2013.
Biographical Sketch
Simón was born in Mexicalli, Mexico in 1961. He grew up in Holtville, California a small border town in Southern California.
He is one of eleven children that grew up as migrant field workers. At an early age of eight years old, Simón found himself
working the fields and eventually traveling to Oregon and Washington to work during the summers. Because of the lack of respect
for his type of labor and his family's lack of educational support, Simón grew up with a low self esteem and with very little
respect for his culture. Art would be his saving grace, nurturing his self esteem and keeping him focused on pursuing an education.
It wasn't until he came to understand and appreciate his culture that he was able to find his true purpose in life.
In 1986, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. As a Chicano Artist
Simón celebrates his bilingual and bicultural life and hopes that others will do the same. His art is a reflection of what
he considers to be a great asset that all of us have in this country, that is, the opportunity to use our multicultural make
up to our advantage.
Simón lives in San Bernardino, California, with his wife María, and their three sons, Josué, Francisco Xavier, and Emilio.
He spends a great deal of time traveling around the country lecturing at schools. He finds it very important to inspire other
lives by sharing his art and his personal experiences.
It's the sensory appeal of Simón's work that first captures our attention and invites us to take a closer look. Our eyes are
immediately seduced by the vibrant colors which give his artwork a signature style like no other Chicano artist. All of the
images are soothing to the eyes and familiar to the heart. Each painting is similar in style, yet uniquely independent of
the others, just like the Chicano culture.
Series Description
Series I. Personal and Biographical, 1993-1997 This series housed in box 1 contains two folders of correspondence. One folder is of incoming correspondence and the other
is correspondence from the childrens story
Gathering the Sun which Silva illustrated.
Series II. Notecards, 1991-1997 This series contains 15 notecards of Simon Silva's artwork. They are smaller versions of his posters and book illustrations.
They are located in box 1, folders 3-5 and are in order by date, then title.
Series III. Slides, 1991-1994 This series contains 15 slides of his artwork. They are found in box 1, folder 6 and are in the order in which they were
received.
Series IV. Photographic Prints, undated This series contains 11 photo copies of the artist's posters and illustrations. They are untitled and undated. They are located
in box 1, folders 7-8.
Series V. Lithographs, 1992-1997 This series contains 9 offset posters by Simon Silva. A few of the posters are large versions of his book illustrations.
They are all signed by the artist. One is signed specifically for an individual who worked with his collection. They are organized
alphabetically.
Series VI. Publications, 1997 Series six contains newspaper clippings about Simon Silva which are housed in oversize box 2. This series also includes a
copy of the book,
Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English which was illustrated by Silva.
Series VII. Video Recordings, undated Series seven contains a three minute video recording called
Latino Artists for Patrick Perez where Silva discusses the inspiration for his pieces.
Related Material
The following material is available by searching the UCSB Library Online catalog.
Green Web, poems by Juan Delgado, cover art by Simón Silva, University of Georgia Press, 1994
Separations
The following materials have been removed and are available by searching the UCSB Library Online catalog.
1.)
El Campo, poems by Jaun Delgado, paintings by Simón Silva; 1998, Capra Press; paperback. 2.)
Small Town Browny, Cosecha de la Vida by Simón Silva; Arte Cachanilla; paperback, autographed, 1998
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Silva, Simon
Mexican American art -- 20th century
Series I. Personal and Biographical
1993-1997
Box 1, Folder 1
Incoming Correspondence
1993-1994
Box 1, Folder 2
Gathering the Sun Correspondence
1997
Series II. Notecards
1991-1997
Series III. Slides
1991-1994
Box 1, Folder 6
Passages to a New Beginning, image for California Association of Bilingual Educators
1993
Box 1, Folder 6
Cover for
Time Magazine NAFTA
1993
Series IV. Photographic Prints
undated
Box 1, Folder 7-8, Flat-file 2, Folder 2
Poster-drawer Simón Silva
Series V. Lithographs
1992-1997
Location note: Del Norte mapcase drawers, organized by title.
creator:
Silva, Simon
Other Descriptive Information
Artist quotes are from: Simon Silva, "The Art of Simon Silva" Accessed on September 3, 2013 http://www.simonsilva.com
Amor Eterno
1993
General Physical Description Note: Offset; Image size: 18 x 22 in.; Poster size: 22 x 26 in.
Description/Comments
This is a poster of a whole family embracing one another. The husband is holding a batch of sunflowers and with the other
arm is hugging his wife while they kiss. Their daughter is hugging them, and the mother is carrying another child while she
embraces her husband. Behind them is a background of large sunflowers. This poster is signed by the artist.
On Simon Silva's web page he captioned the poster with the following, "Familia is everything!"
Amor de Padre
1994
General Physical Description Note: Offset; Image size: 18 x 30 in; Poster size: 23 x 37 in.
Description/Comments
This poster consists of an image of a father embracing his son. He seems to have just opened the door and walked inside, and
is in the process of greeting his son by carrying him. Towards the sides of the father and child are carrots on the floor,
and a bag. There is a portrait of Lady Guadalupe on the door. In the background of the parent is an image of bright landscape
and fields. The bottom of the poster reads, "Amor de Padre" and is signed by Simon Silva.
On Simon Silva's web page, he captioned the poster with the following, "An homage for all our fathers whom by working a job
that very few want to do, show us that they love us. A father’s love can come in many ways that go unnoticed and un appreciated."
Amor a Todas Horas
1992
General Physical Description Note: Offset; Image size: 21.5 x 25.5 in..; Poster size: 25 x 33.25 in.
Description/Comments
This poster includes an image of a mother and child inside their home. Their backs are turned to the viewer as they stare
outside an open window. Outside the window shows the moon shining across rows of roses and mountains in the landscape. The
room consists largely of red and orange colors. On the wall next to the mother is a wooden crucifix of Jesus Christ. Below
that stands a little table that holds candles and flowers, as well as a note. In Spanish, the note reads, "Mi amour para ti,
es amor a todas horas" which translates to "My love for you, my love at all hours."
On his web site Simon Silva captioned the poster with the following, "Watching my beautiful wife take care of our son, I realized
how much work it takes to raise a child. This is an homage for all the mother’s in the world. In painting this image I regained
what was lost through time, beautiful memories of love all times!"
Cesar Chavez
1997
General Physical Description Note: Offset; Image size: 19 x 11.5 in; Paper size: 24 x 18 in.
Description/Comments
This poster is an image of Cesar Chavez glancing across fields. His upper body blends with farming fields. The sun is rising
so it appears to be dawn. Above Chavez's head is the RCAF symbol. The sky is painted in a beautiful orange and yellow glow
with gradients of those two colors. The fields are painted going in different angles in green and orange hues. The poster
is autographed by the artist. The bottom of the poster reads, "
From Gathering the Sun: An ABC in Spanish and English by Alma Flor Ada."
Dos Mujeres
1992
General Physical Description Note: Offset; Image size: 22.5 x 27.25 in..; Poster size: 25 x 34 in.
Description/Comments
This piece includes an image of two woman arched down while washing their hair in a gray tub. Their faces are hidden by their
long dark hair. They are dressed in white shirts and colorful skirts, and are both barefoot. Behind them in the background
are large groups of sunflowers. In the far background there is a dim sunlight. This piece is signed by the artist.
Estrellas y Flores
1997
General Physial Description Note: Offset; Image size: 19 x 11.5 in; Poster size: 24 x 18 in.
Description/Comments
This poster is an image of a little boy laying in a field of flowers while staring at the stars above. The flowers around
him are in shades of orange and blue. Then they turn to shades of red, yellow, and light blue. In the background of the boy
are fields and the sky fades from an orange gradient to shades of green and blue.
Las Comadres
1992
General Physical Description Note: Offset; Image size: 21.75 x 21.75 in..; Poster size: 24.5 x 29 in.
Description/Comments
This offset poster includes an image of two women in a sunflower field. The two women are talking to one another across a
red brick wall. One woman's face is not shown, but her long black hair is in a braid and she is shown from behind, carrying
a basket of white cloth. The woman she is talking to holds a baby in blue clothing across her back. A majority of the background
of the image consists of large yellow sunflowers and a few cacti. This poster is signed by the artist.
On his web page Simon Silva captioned the poster with the following, "Our neighbor was my mother’s Comadre. I remember the
sharing of tears, sugar, eggs, and hot chisme!"
Mexico
1997
General Physical Description Note: Offset; Image size: 19 x 11.5 in.; Poster size: 24 x 18 in.
Description/Comments
This signed, colorful poster is of a staircase leading towards the top of an Aztec temple. The top of the stairs leads to
an Aztec calendar, and the colors that are used for the calendar are different hues of yellow, orange, blue, and green for
intricate details. The background of the calendar are in gradients of orange and yellow hues.
Un Dia de la Campo
1992
General Physical Description Note: Offset; Image size: 20 x 31.5 in..; Poster size: 24.5 x 38 in.
Description/Comments
This poster is an image of a man, woman, and child seated in rows of farm fields. The people are very small in comparison
to the size of the fields. Above them in the sky is a bright orange sun on the horizon. The image colors are darker towards
the bottom of the picture and then get brighter towards the sun. This poster is signed by the artist.
The artist described the poster with the following: "I remember picking strawberries in Oregon and Washington State and feeling
an overwhelming pride as I put in a full days work. The fields were planted on the hillsides and that created the illusion
of endless fields."
Series VI. Publications
1997
Flat-file 2, Folder 1
Newspaper Clippings
1997
Description/Comments
Articles about Silva and the publication of
Gathering the Sun from newspapers including
Vida en el Valle,
The Arizona Republic,
La Opinión,
Imperial Valley Press
Box 1
Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English
1997
Series VII. Video Recordings
undated
Item V1259/VHS
Latino Artists For Patrick Perez
undated
Description/Comments
3:22 min. Simon Silva discusses his approach to his work, and mentions his inspiration for
Amor de Padre and
Las Comadres.
