Ernesto de la Loza, a Chicano muralist, active in the Los Angeles area for over 50 years is known for his vibrant, colorful murals that depict the history and culture of the Chicano community.
His work has been featured in galleries and museums worldwide and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to the arts.
De la Loza was born in East Los Angeles in 1949. He began painting murals as a teenager, and the Chicano mural movement of the 1960s and 1970s influenced his early work. In the 1980s, he began experimenting with new styles and techniques, and his work became more abstract and personal.
De la Loza’s murals often deal with social justice, identity, and community themes. He strongly advocates for the arts and believes that murals can be a powerful tool for social change. His work has been praised for its beauty, power, and ability to inspire people.
In addition to his mural work, de la Loza has also produced a number of paintings, sculptures, and prints. He has taught art at various universities and colleges, and he has served as a mentor to many young artists.
He is a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and has been honored by the Smithsonian Institution and the Mexican government.
De la Loza continues to create art and to advocate for the arts. He is a powerful voice for social justice, and his work is an inspiration to people all over the world.
Ernesto de la Loza’s most notable murals:
Here are some of Ernesto de la Loza’s most notable murals:
- Organic Stimulus (1975)
- Carnival (1983)
- Cine de Oro (1984)
- El Nuevo Mundo: Homage to the Worker (1985)
- City of Passion (1986)
- Under the Bridge (1987)
- The Three Laws (1988)
- Persistance of Energy (1990)
- Urban Transit (1991)
- Bridges to East L.A. (1992)
- Resurrection of the Green Planet (1993)
De la Loza’s murals can be found all over Los Angeles, including in Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, Echo Park, and Silver Lake. His work is a powerful testament to the history and culture of the Chicano community, and it is an inspiration to people all over the world.
References
- Ernesto de la Loza: A Retrospective. Exhibition catalogue. Los Angeles: Social and Public Art Resource Center, 1994.
- Ernesto de la Loza: Murals of Social Change. Exhibition catalogue. Los Angeles: UCLA Fowler Museum, 2002.
- Ernesto de la Loza: The Work of a Lifetime. Exhibition catalogue. Los Angeles: Self-published, 2019.
- “Ernesto de la Loza.” In The Encyclopedia of Latino American History and Culture. Edited by David E. Hayes-Bautista, Mark T. Vázquez, and Gary Y. Okihiro. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2004.
- “Ernesto de la Loza.” In The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos in the United States. Edited by David R. Díaz and Dennis Baron. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.
