THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Yolanda Margarita López

November 1, 1942 – September 3, 2021

“The media is what passes for culture in contemporary U.S. society, and it is extremely powerful. It is crucial that we systematically explore the cultural mis-definition of Mexicans and Latin Americans that is presented in the media.”

Muralist, painter, educator, film producer and printmaker. Mainly focuses on the experience of Mexican-American women and challenges the ethnic stereotypes that are often associated with them. Best recognized for her Virgin of Guadalupe series, which illustrates the Virgin of Guadalupe in both personal and political terms. Series attracted admiration due her “sanctifying” the average Mexican woman. Other critics (mainly religious individuals) objected to the series due to the re-envision of the iconic Virgin of Guadalupe. Another famous work – “Who’s the Illegal Alien, Pilgrim?” – highlights an angry man in Aztec attire holding a crumpled up paper titled Immigration Plans. This political poster was made in 1978 during a period of debate in the United States that resulted in the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1978.

Photo. Yolanda López, from the series “Tableaux Vivant,” 1978.  Photo by Susan Mogul.