What is Chicano/Latino Art: Images in the Age of AIDS?

This project was initiated in Colorado with Chicano/Latino artists to help educate our community about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which causes Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It began as an idea to merge the visual arts with a culturally revelant AIDS message and culminated in the present exhibition entitled Chicano/Latino Art: Images In The Age Of AIDS.

Sixteen Chicano/Latino artists residing in Colorado were recruited to participate in this project. An equal number of men and women artists were included so that the Chicano/Latino community could benefit from the imagery created by both sexes. Each was asked to create two artworks which could be used to educate our community about AIDS.

At the beginning of the project, artists were invited to attend a workshop presented by members of the Colorado Latino AIDS Community Network (The Network) in Denver, Colorado. The Network consists of membership representing Latino gays, HIV positive individuals, and their family members. At our meeting the artists heard from Latino men who were infected through sex with men, a woman infected through intravenous drug use, and a woman who had lost two brothers to AIDS. The purpose of this meeting was to introduce the artists to Chicano/Latino community members who were living with AIDS or were directly impacted by the infection so that this dialogical encounter could create a realistic basis for their artwork.

It is our hope that the images will move others to think and talk about AIDS. The images are real and must be confronted if AIDS is to be diminished. Our sensibilities can save lives only if we can realistically address AIDS in our community.

Though we plan to exhibit this artwork in several venues in Colorado, we envision touring this exhibition to Latino AIDS epicenter cities outside of Colorado.

-George Rivera & Aileen F. Lucero, 1992