barbaracarrasco

Barbara Carrasco

I grew up in Mar Vista Gardens Housing projects in Culver City, California. Roberto and Martha Carrasco, my parents, were both born and raised in El Paso, Texas. My father was a Santa Monica Bus Driver and my mother stayed home and was a strict disciplinarian. My older brother Ricardo (1954) and I (1955) were also born in El Paso, Texas. My younger siblings, Robert, Frances and Leandra were born here in Los Angeles. We attended Saint Gerard Majella Catholic School in Culver City.

As a young girl, I was inspired by the religious paintings in our church as well as Japanese art that were displayed in our home. We had a wide selection of books in our home that included the art and culture of Japan as well as Mexico. We attended Public Junior High and High School. In my first year in college I heard Labor Leader Cesar Chavez speak about his lifelong commitment to improving the lives of the most exploited workers in America, farm workers. He was the epitome of the good Catholic. He was incredibly charismatic. I immediately asked him how I could contribute. I met co-founder of the United Farm Workers, Dolores Huerta shortly afterwards. She was a great role model for me and became a friend and mentor. I volunteered as an artist and activist for fifteen years with the United Farm Workers Union.

In 1978 I met my husband, writer and photographer, Harry Gamboa Jr. during an art exhibit at Self Help Graphics. Harry was very supportive of my work as an artist and encouraged me to pursue a career as an artist. We were married in 1993 and had a daughter, Barbie, in 1994.

Personal Statement by the Artist herself