Week 5 Ofelia Esparza

Having Ofelia Esparza, one of Los Angeles’s most recognized and celebrated Chicana artists, visit class was a true treat. Esparza has always been a Los Angeles native even up until today where she works in many different mediums as she explained sharing some of her monoprints but she is mostly known for her Ofrendas and Altares. I enjoyed when she was speaking about the importance of her family and how they are a rich source of inspiration and creativity, me being raised from a Chicano/a background I immediately understood and sympathized when she spoke on the family as a whole and how paramount it is to keep memories of them alive. When speaking on family she paid special tribute to her mother and great grandmother labeling them as “Warrior Women” strong and independent. I also enjoyed learning how she continues to remain active in the community still through her art and local influence; Esparza explaining her teaching background of over 30 years made me further realize how much more care and meaning she must put into her work. Another interesting point that she made was how she believes that there are 3 deaths in life; the first being your final breath, the second being your burial, and the third being forgotten. Esparaza also noting her work on the Pixar movie “Coco” as a cultural consultant I can see how this idea guided the direction of that movie but regardless of the movie, her words on the three deaths were very impactful and important when placing it into the familial context and symbolism in the celebration of Dia de Los Muertos as one of the main avenues of memory as a continuation of one’s life. Having Ofelia Esparza visit class was an honor and I am glad to have experienced it she is an obvious national treasure and beacon of Chicano/a pride.