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        Delete Resource - Oral history interview with Elsa Flores, 1997 Feb. 18-Apr. 30

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        Smithsonian Learning Lab
        Oral history interview with Elsa Flores, 1997 Feb. 18-Apr. 30

        Source

        Archives of American Art

        OBJECT TYPE

        Archival materials Collection descriptions Sound recordings Interviews

        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

        NAMES

        Flores, Elsa Almaraz, Carlos Rangel, Jeffrey J.
        interviewee : Flores, Elsa, 1955-
        interviewer : Rangel, Jeffrey J.
        Subject : Almaraz, Carlos

        Keywords

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

        LANGUAGES

        English


        Additional Resource Information
        Record Link : https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/interviews/oral-history-interview-elsa-flores-13559
        Theme : Latino and Latin American Theme : Women
        Record Id : AAADCD_oh_216421
        Record number : (DSI-AAA_CollID)13559 Record number : (DSI-AAA_SIRISBib)216421 Record number : AAA_collcode_flores97


        Record Information
        The resources in the Smithsonian Learning Lab are contributed by museums, libraries, and archives from across the Smithsonian. We are constantly working to provide improved information for you. If you spot an error or know of an addition to this resource, please contact us and we will pass it on for further research and review.

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