Edward Gonzales Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-1138-BC
Scope and Contents
The collection illuminates the career of Chicano artist, Edward Gonzales via photographs, correspondence, articles, clippings, publicity and other materials related to exhibitions and activities.
Dates
- 1965 - 2024
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Biographical Information
Edward Gonzales is a figurative painter with family roots in New Mexico and Mexico. His mother’s family arrived in the United States from Mexico circa 1908 and settled in southern New Mexico; his father’s family came to Nuevo México in 1598. Edward was raised in Albuquerque.
Much of his artwork depicts the Hispanic and Southwest cultures. His career as an artist began at the age of four when his grandmother handed him crayons and paper to keep him occupied while his parents were at work. From then on, art became Gonzales’ focus. His formal art education began in Junior High School and continued at the University of New Mexico. One year before graduation, he was drafted and served in the U.S. Army in Viet Nam. He came home with a stronger commitment to his art and culture, deciding that his paintings would celebrate life and express the beauty and vitality of Latino culture and the Southwest’s iconic landscapes. A year later, he completed his Bachelor's degree in Studio Art at the University of New Mexico (1971).
An advocate for literacy, Gonzales created a separate genre of paintings promoting reading and bilingual education, which he reproduced as posters with titles and text in Spanish and English.
Because there were few venues available for Hispanic contemporary artists, Gonzales founded the Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe (1989) and the Hispanic Arts Building at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. In 2004 the Albuquerque Public School Board named a new school Edward Gonzales Elementary in recognition of his contribution to art, education and Hispanic culture.
Gonzales is an art historian and co-author of an award winning biography, “Spirit Ascendant, The Art and Life of Patrocinio Barela” and illustrator of the classic children’s book “The Farolitos of Christmas.” His paintings are in many private collections and in public collections including the Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, New Mexico; the Harwood Museum of Art, Taos; the New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe; the Albuquerque Museum; the National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum and the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Source: Acosta Strong Fine Art Gallery
Because there were few venues available for Hispanic contemporary artists, Gonzales founded the Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe (1989) and the Hispanic Arts Building at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. In 2004 the Albuquerque Public School Board named a new school Edward Gonzales Elementary in recognition of his contribution to art, education and Hispanic culture.
Gonzales is an art historian and co-author of an award winning biography, “Spirit Ascendant, The Art and Life of Patrocinio Barela” and illustrator of the classic children’s book “The Farolitos of Christmas.” His paintings are in many private collections and in public collections including the Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, New Mexico; the Harwood Museum of Art, Taos; the New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe; the Albuquerque Museum; the National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum and the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Source: Acosta Strong Fine Art Gallery
Extent
1 box : (1 cu. ft.), plus 1 oversized folder
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection illuminates the career of Chicano artist, Edward Gonzales via photographs, articles, gallery catalogues and correspondence, and other publicity.
Processing Information
Basic organization and folder titles provided by Edward Gonzales.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Edward Gonzales Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu