Existing comment:
Rudolfo Anaya, born 1937
Born Pastura, New Mexico
The author Rudolfo Anaya once remarked, "What I've wanted to do is compose the Chicano worldview -- the synthesis that shows our true mestizo identity -- and clarify it for my community and myself." His semi-autobiographical novel, Bless Me, Ultima (1972), tells the story of a child growing up during World War II who, with the guidance of a healer, begins to understand the mysteries of nature, morality, and spirituality. Bless Me, Ultima, which is now considered a fundamental text of Chicano literature, was acclaimed for its lyricism, its alternation of English and Spanish, and its fresh way of relaying the Mexican American experience of the Southwest. Anaya's other books include the award-winning Tortuga (1979) and Alburquerque (1992), whose title references the original spelling of the city's name. The El Paso artist Gaspar Enríquez, who created this depiction of Anaya, is celebrated for his portraits that enhance our understanding of Chicano identity on the local, regional, and national stage.
Gaspar Enriquez, 2016 |