Guide to the Yolanda M. Lopez Papers

Series I: Correspondence - Incoming 1961-1995

Physical Description: boxes 1-3

Scope and Content Note

This series is arranged alphabetically according to correspondent, then chronologically, and is divided into personal and professional correspondence. A large portion of the personal correspondence is from Lopez's half- sister, Analee Lively, who wrote regularly from 1962-1995. A similarly large amount of correspondence (spanning from 1978-1994) is from Rene Yañez, a Chicano artist with whom Lopez has maintained a close relationship. The latter is of a personal nature and, to ensure the privacy of the persons involved, has been designated confidential for the time being at the request of the donor. These files will be unrestricted in the year 2027. Other correspondents of note include:

Nesbit Crutchfield, who wrote to Lopez during his two years of incarceration in 1968-70;
Countes [sic] Cuchita, who claimed to be Lopez's sister, and Mortimer Lopez, Lopez's father;
David Avalos, a Chicano artist with whom Lopez had a close relationship for several years;
and Graciela Carrillo, a fellow artist and personal friend who, along with Lopez, was one of the Mujeres Muralistas.

Series II: Biographical/Professional Activities, 1978-1998

Physical Description: boxes 3-4

Scope and Content Note

This series is arranged chronologically and contains primarily literature related to Lopez's participation in exhibitions and other professional activities. This includes flyers and announcements for exhibitions and conferences, as well as articles from magazines and newspapers regarding Lopez's work and Chicana art in general. Lopez's personal biography and an Artist Statement dated 1998 can be found in box 4, folder 1. Note also that there are very informative newspaper/magazine interviews and clippings relating to Lopez's professional activities in the Oversize series (series V)

Series III: Photography-Slides

Physical Description: box 4

Scope and Content Note

The slides contained within this series are a sampling of some of Lopez's better-known works. Subjects represented include:

The Virgin of Guadalupe series
A Woman's Work Is Never Done series
Cactus Hearts/Barbed Wire Dreams series

The Miscellaneous slides include selections from the Things I Never Told My Son About Being a Mexican series, the Three Generations Tres Mujeres series, and slides of individual works such as Who's the Illegal Alien, Pilgrim?, La Mano Mas Poderosa (The Most Powerful Hand), Mexican Chair, Rio's World, and other

Series IV: Video

Physical Description: box 4

Scope and Content Note

This series contains two videotapes. One tape contains an interview with Lopez focused on the making of the Guadalupe series; the other tape, entitled "Women of the Vanguard," contains original footage of a protest at the Galeria de La Raza in which Lopez took part.

Series V: Oversize

Physical Description: box 5

Scope and Content Note

This series contains miscellaneous oversized items arranged chronologically, including a photograph of Lopez, newspapers, programs and fliers related to her professional activities, and several pieces of oversize correspondence from David Avalos and Analee Lively. Of particular interest is the Winter/Spring, 1995 issue of Venceremos which features an excellent interview with Lopez discussing much of her most well-known work (box 5, folder 1). Items are arranged chronologically.

Series VI: Graphic Arts

Physical Description: box 4

Scope and Content Note

This series contains 15 silkscreen and offset posters by Lopez, as well as four iris prints of Lopez's work. Included in the posters are several of her well-known works, including Who's the Illegal Alien, Pilgrim?, A Woman's Work Is Never Done, Things I Never Told My Son About Being a Mexican, and others. The prints are arranged according to record number.

SERIES I: CORRESPONDENCE - INCOMING, 1961-1995

Personal Correspondence

Box 1, Folder 1

Avalos, David, 1971-1979

Box 1, Folder 2

Avalos, Peggy, 1972-1978

Box 1, Folder 3

Carillo, Graciela, 1977-1978

Box 1, Folder 4

Crutchfield, Nesbit, 1968-1970

Cuchita, Countes [sic]

Box 1, Folder 5

1966-1967

Box 1, Folder 6

1967-1968

Lively, Analee

Box 1, Folder 7

1962-1966

Box 1, Folder 8

1968-1969

Box 1, Folder 9

1970-1974

Box 1, Folder 10

1975-1977

Box 1, Folder 11

1978-1995

Box 1, Folder 12

n.d.

Yañez, Rene [CONFIDENTIAL]

Box 2, Folder 1-3

1978

Box 2, Folder 4

1978-1981

Box 2, Folder 5

n.d.

General

Box 3, Folder 1

1961-1973

Box 3, Folder 2

1977-87

Box 3, Folder 3

1988-95

Box 4, Folder 4

n.d.

Professional Correspondence

Box 3, Folder 5

1969-1995

Box 3, Folder 6

n.d.

SERIES II: BIOGRAPHICAL/PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES, 1978-1998

Diary

Box 3, Folder 7

Personal diary, 1976-1979

Chronological Files

Box 3, Folder 8

1978

Box 3, Folder 9

1979-1985

Box 3, Folder 10

1988-1989

Box 3, Folder 11

1990-1993

Box 3, Folder 12

1994

Box 3, Folder 13

1995-1996

Box 4, Folder 1-2

1997

Box 4, Folder 3

1998

Box 4, Folder 4

n.d.

Exhibitions

Box 4, Folder 5

"First Front: Vanguard of the Chicano Movement in Northern California," Galeria de la Raza Exhibit, 1994

Box 4, Folder 6

"Ten Women, Ten Prints," Exhibition, 1995

Box 4, Folder 7

"The Latina Artist" Exhibition, 1998

SERIES III: PHOTOGRAPHY - SLIDES

Box 4, Folder 8

"La Virgen de Guadalupe" series

Box 4, Folder 9

"A Woman's Work is Never Done" series

Box 4, Folder 10

"Cactus Hearts/Barbed Wire Dreams" series

Box 4, Folder 11

Miscellany

SERIES IV: VIDEO

V0019/VHS "An Interview with Yolanda M. Lopez and the Making of the Guadalupe Series" 1988 ("unedited")

V0020/8MM "Women of the Vanguard" Protest at the Galería de la Raza, 8/20/94

SERIES V: OVERSIZE

Biographical/Professional Activities

Box 5, Folder 1

1995-1997

Box 5, Folder 2

1988-1994

Box 5, Folder 3

Photo of Yolanda Lopez by Joe Ramos, 9 1/2" x 11 1/2", n.d.

Correspondence - Incoming

Box 5, Folder 4

Avalos, David, n.d.; Lively, Analee, n.d.

SERIES VI: GRAPHIC ARTS

Iris Prints

Box 4, Folder 10

"A Woman's Work Is Never Done," "Virgin at the Crossroads," "Your Vote Has Power," and "Madre Mestiza"

Silkscreen & Offset Prints

item 1.

Lopez, Yolanda; Announcement Poster for Art & Action: A Spring for Change ; from the When You Think of Mexico Series ; 1984; silkscreen; image size: 16 1/4" x 10 3/4"; paper size: 16 1/4" x 10 3/4"

Record Number: 5

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

Announcement Poster for "Art & Action: A Spring of Change." Against a green background lies a yellow shirt with saguaro-cactus-and-man-in-sombrero design. A white apron atop shirt serves as background for text. Words over apron read, "Art & Action A Spring for Change" in bold red. Further text reads "April 21, 1984 Saturday noon to midnight. Veteran's Memorial Bldg. 846 Front St. Santa Cruz, CA. Music--Bands 9:00- 12:00 midnight. 'The Looters' 'Tao Chemical' donation requested. Poetry--8:00 p.m. Choreopoem performance. Dialogue--Panel discussion: Art & Political Action. Video-- Art--Performance. For more info (408) 476-8328. Poster: 'Things I never told my son about being a Mexican.' by Yolanda M. Lopez, When You Think of Mexico Series."

item 2.

Lopez, Yolanda; Announcement Poster for Arte Picante--Contemporary Chicano Arts ; 1975; offset; image size: 23 3/8" x 18"; paper size: 25" x 19"

Record Number: 6

Physical Description: unknown ed.; signed

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

Announcement Poster for "Arte Picante--Contemporary Chicano Arts." Text above center picture reads, "Arte Picante." Below is a black and white portrait of two women standing together. An older Latina woman, very thin, with glasses, is in the forefront. Another, larger Latina woman with a broader face has her arm around her. Below picture, text in black reads "January 11-February 6, 1976. Chicano Films, Poetry, Drama, Music, Art. Gallery hours: Sunday through Friday 12-5 p.m. For more information: 452-2860. Mandeville Center for the Arts. University of California, San Diego."

item 3.

Lopez, Yolanda; Announcement Poster for Chicano Studies Center of the Claremont Colleges--25th Anniversary 1994-5; 1995; offset; image size: 16" x 10"; paper size: 17" x 11"

Record Number: 11

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

Announcement Poster for "Chicano Studies Center of the Claremont Colleges- -25th Anniversary 1994-5." There is a tan Aztec calendar in upper right center. Black text at top reads, "Chicano Studies Center for the Claremont Colleges 25th Anniversary 1994- 5." Following under, in a sierra-colored box, is a list of Chicano/a Studies Events-1995 from February 8 through April 22. On the bottom, text in black reads: "Celebrating 25 years of scholarship, teaching and student services." The background of poster in tan; image and text contained within a black border.

item 4.

Lopez, Yolanda; Announcement Poster for Flor y Canto - Benefit for Yolanda Lopez; 1996; silkscreen; image size: 21 5/8" x 13 1/2" ; paper size: 22 1/2" x 14 1/2"

Record Number: 8

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

Announcement Poster for "Flor y Canto - Benefit for Yolanda Lopez." The title text reads "Flor y Canto - Benefit for Yolanda Lopez." In capital hand-written red letters at the top of the poster reads "Saturday June 8, 1996, 8 p.m. Mission Cultural Center Gallery." In the center is a picture of a young Latina woman taking off a dramatic mask. She is wearing a shirt with house prints on it. Behind her mesh together a red background of floral screen and of nuclear warheads prints. A border surrounds the picture, containing guns and roses. Underneath the picture, text lists poets and music, ticket prices, where tickets can be purchased, and location of events. The event has been sponsored by, "Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeno Band, Galeria de la Raza, Studio 24, Juana Alicia, Alliance Graphics, (and) Mission Cultural Center."

item 5.

Lopez, Yolanda; Announcement Poster for In Progress; 1982; offset; image size: 20 7/8" x 12"; paper size: 20 7/8" x 12"

Record Number: 14

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

Announcement Poster for "In Progress." The title in red text at top reads, "In Progress," across a backdrop of a red grid. Underneath the title text, black print reads, "19 artists creating murals in an open studio on the walls of Galeria de la Raza [GDLR address, dates, hours, encouragement of public to come follows.]" A column of text on the right side lists the artists. More text announces a joint reception for another show in progress and for Michael Rios' newly completed minipark mural. Interspersed in grid are b/w photos of artists. At bottom is a group b/w photo of artists.

item 6.

Lopez, Yolanda; Announcement Poster for La Mano Mas Poderosa/The Most Powerful Hand; 1997; silkscreen; image size: 21 1/8" x 16 3/4"; paper size: 26 1/2" x 21"

Record Number: 15

Physical Description: 13/25; signed

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

Announcement Poster for "La Mano Mas Poderosa/The Most Powerful Hand." The title text reads, "La Mano" (in red horror-movie script) with the words "Mas Poderosa" in a b/w box in the top left corner on a cloud. The text is above a large flesh-colored hand printed with map of southwest United States and Mexico. One person stands atop clouds above each digit. A child and a man, also on part of the cloud, stand above the thumb. The hand rises from a flaming spot in the center of the black-colored continent of North America. Houses lie to the northwest; a clock tower and office lie to the northeast. To the side of the hand lies a black and white box that reads, "Chicana y Chicano Scholarship: Un Compromiso con nuestras comunidades." At the bottom, in a red box, reads white text: "XXIV Annual Conference National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies Radisson Hotel Sacramento, California April 16-19, 1997." Underneath this text reads the trademark and "86 Alliance Graphics" and also "Poster: (c) Yolanda M. Lopez 1997." Underneath this text in pencil script is Yolanda Lopez's signature, date, and title, "The Most Powerful Hand." The color of the background ranges from yellow at top to orange to red at bottom. The globe is blue with black continents.

item 7.

Lopez, Yolanda; Announcement Poster for U.S. Latino Art On Film--Festival Cinearte; 1985; poster; image size: 13 3/8" x 8"; paper size: 14" x 8 1/2"

Record Number: 9

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

Announcement Poster for "U.S. Latino Art on film--Festival Cinearte." There is an image of a tube of paint with black and white movie film flowing out of opening. The label on paint tube reads, "Peliculas." The text on tube reads, "color y b/w." Continuing text lists Friday and Saturday programs of U.S. Latina Art on Film. The background is tan; the text is black.

item 8.

Lopez, Yolanda; Announcement Poster for Yolanda M. Lopez Works: 1975-1978; 1978; offset; image size: 16" x 9 1/2" ; paper size: 17" x 11"

Record Number: 4

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

Announcement Poster for "Yolanda M. Lopez Works: 1975-1978, Exhibition & Artist's Reception." There is a black and white print titled "Guadalupe: Victoria F. Franco" of an older Latina woman sitting on a raised print throw in the center. She is holding a knife in her left hand and a snakeskin in her right hand. Behind her hovers a small Chicano angel, his head encircled by a half-wreath. Behind both figures the rays of the sun spread out. The sun is hidden behind the older woman. The text underneath the print lists the date, location, and co-sponsors of the exhibition (at UCSD). Text in black reads "7-9 p.m. Fri., Dec. 8, '78, Mandeville Ctr., East Rm., UCSD, La Jolla, Ca. Co-sponsored by University of California and El Centro Cultural de la Raza."

item 9.

Lopez, Yolanda; El and de los Siete; n.d.; silkscreen; image size: 21 1/2" x 16 1/2"; paper size: 22 1/2" x 17 1/2"

Record Number: 3

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

There are blue abstract forms in the center. Two vaguely resemble a teapot. Large neon orange text reads: "El" and "de" at the top of the page/ and "los siete" at bottom of page, in capital block letters. Mauve/dark red text encloses picture in a square. This text lists the date, time, location, and what will take place at a community event: "May 2--12 noon to 7 p.m.--22nd and Folsom--Primer and Los Siete--Pintas para los ninos--Gratis-- Rock Band 'Gold'--Latin Bands-- Speakers from los Siete and community."

item 10.

Lopez, Yolanda; Issues in Chicana Scholarship; 1993; offset; image size: 23" x 17 3/8"; paper size: 24" x 18"

Record Number: 2

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

The text on top reads, "Culture and Society in Dialogue: Issues in Chicana Scholarship, May 14, 1993." The text continues, to list the location (at UC Irvine) of the conference. The center portrait is titled, "Portrait of the Artist as the Virgen de Guadalupe." There is a picture of young Chicana woman in a pink dress with white lining and white running shoes, running, holding a snake in her left hand. A cape, blue with yellow dots (stars?) is thrown over her right shoulder and spreads out behind her. The sun is also behind her; her body covering the sun and the rays of light surrounding her form. The rays of sunlight lie within a red form. The woman is running on clouds. Underneath her left foot, the one which is on the ground, lies a Chicano baby with red, white , and blue wings, dressed in a red coat. The text beneath this picture lists sessions and speakers for events in Literary Expressions, Social Science Issues, and Artistic Impressions. The sponsors for the event and the number to call for information are also listed.

item 11.

Lopez, Yolanda; Mission Street Manifesto; 1983; offset; image size: 20 3/8" x 12 3/4" ; paper size: 21" x 12 3/4"

Record Number: 13

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

A bar across top with an illustration of eyes and forehead of a young Latina woman next to lips and chin of young Latino man. The image is in color against black, in a slightly pointilistic style. Underneath the image reads a poem in lower case print. The title of the poem is "Mission Street Manifesto [all caps, next line in lower case letters] for all varrios" and begins "Blow out the jiving smoke the plastik mix the huddling straw for the dying mind." On the bottom of the poem, underneath a black line, reads "From Desires of Exile by Juan Felipe Herrera (c)1983 Lab Press Publications Design by Cecilia Brunazzi, from a photo by Yolanda M. Lopez."

item 12.

Lopez, Yolanda; Who's the Illegal Alien, Pilgrim?; 1994; offset; image size: 21 5/8" x 15 1/8"; paper size: 221/2" x 16 1/2"

Record Number: 1

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

Within border of several lines a Native American male with angry expression points finger of left hand at viewer. He is wearing an Aztec headdress with black and white designs and metal wrist sheaths. In his right hand are clutched several ragged-looking papers entitled "Immigration Plans." The title text lies over a blanked-out area on man's chest and torso. The word "pilgrim" is encased in a lined block.

item 13.

Lopez, Yolanda; Who's the Illegal Alien, Pilgrim? (calendar); 1989; Poster; image size: 16 3/8" x 10"; paper size: 17" x 11"

Record Number: 12

Physical Description: unknown ed.; unsigned

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

In the top center is an image of young angry Native American in Aztec headdress and metal wrist sheaths, clutching ragged papers entitled, "Immigration Plans." Text in black reads "Who's the illegal alien, PILGRIM?" over his chest. Under the image of the man reads the following text in black: "America Pertenece Al Pueblo Indigena Indio/Mexicano somos un pueblo sin fronteras lucha liberacion y reunificacion de nuestras tierras" all in caps. Underneath this text is a month-by-month calendar of 1989. There is one Aztec deity on each side of the calendar centerpiece. Underneath the calendar in the left corner reads, "Centro Aztlan / 2803 B St. / San Diego, CALIFAZTLAN." In the right corner is address, "Union del Barrio / P.O. Box 8095 / San Diego, CA 92102 / (619) 233- 7279." Underneath the left corner the address reads, "A Project of Union del Barrio." In the bottom center is a bust of a man wearing a feathered piece of headwear. The print is black on grey.

item 14.

Lopez, Yolanda; Woman's Work Is Never Done ; 1996; photo silkscreen; image size: 20" x 16"; paper size: 25" x 24"

Record Number: 7

Physical Description: 3/45; signed

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

This is a silkscreen color print of two young women standing together. There is an orange print background of women in an older time period (1920s?) protesting for women's suffrage as a backdrop. The caucasion woman on the left is Amy Biehl; the black woman on the right is her South African friend, possibly Melanie Jacobs. On the white woman, a small blue bar of text above the pocket of her denim jacket reads, "Your vote has Power." The text surrounding the women on the sides of the picture read: left, "From: South Africa to North America" right: "Amy Biehl --Melanie Jacobs ; bottom, "Woman's Work is Never Done." The artist has signed her name in pencil at the bottom.

item 15.

Lopez, Yolanda; Your Vote Has Power; 1997; silkscreen; image size: 22 1/2" x 20"; paper size: 25" x 22"

Record Number: 10

Physical Description: 4/20; signed

Location: CEMA-Lopez

Comments:

The center image is a young woman (possibly South American) with a baby on her back. The woman's hair is in a braid and wraps partially around her neck. These human forms are colored red. The young woman stuffs paper into a ballot box. She is wearing a black hat with unintelligible logo and dark sweater and a white backsack to carry the baby. The form of the woman carrying the baby is surrounded by yellow. At the top, white text in black box reads, "Your Vote has Power," with a white "X" enclosed in box image. On the bottom, white text in red box reads, "Woman's Work is Never Done," next to a black "X" in white box. In lower right of poster in white reads "Yolanda 1997."

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