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Source

Archives of American Art

PLACE OF PUBLICATION, PRODUCTION, OR EXECUTION

California

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

11 Sound cassettes, Sound recording (60 mins. each), analog; 209 Pages, Transcript

ACCESS NOTE / RIGHTS

Transcript available on the Archives of American Art website.

SUMMARY

An interview of Elsa Flores conducted 1997 Feb. 18-Apr. 30, by Jeffrey Rangel, for the Archives of American Art.
The interviews took place in Flores' studio, in South Pasadena, Calif., over four sessions. Flores discusses her parents' diverse backgrounds and her difficult childhood and adolescence; the development of her political consciousness; her involvement with Chicanismo; her interests in art, photography, and music, including being a member of California State University, Los Angeles mariachi band; her art, which she considers more biographical and mystical than ethnic; her use, initially, of a dark palette to distinguish her work from that of her husband, Carlos Almaraz, and changing to a brighter, more optimistic palette after Almaraz's was diagnosed with AIDS. She recalls Almaraz's energy and genius; his struggles with AIDS and his search for alternative healing methods; finding solace in Kauai; and his request to have his ashes strewn around Kauai at his favorite places. Flores comments on the difficult period after Almaraz's death; her devotion to their daughter; keeping Almaraz's work at the forefront of public awareness; and her own art career.

CITATION

Quotes and excerpts must be cited as follows: Oral history interview with Elsa Flores, 1997 Feb. 18-Apr. 30. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

FUNDING

The digital preservation of this interview received Federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center.

BIOGRAPHY NOTE

Elsa Flores (1955-) is a painter from California. Married to painter Carlos Almaraz.

PROVENANCE

This interview is part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics, and administrators. Funding for this interview provided by the Smithsonian Institution Latino Pool Fund.

LOCATION NOTE

Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Keywords

Hispanic American women artists Painters -- California -- Los Angeles -- Interviews Women painters -- California -- Los Angeles Mexican American artists -- Interviews