San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Montoya’s works still relevant half a century on
Berkeley artist and activist Malaquías Montoya is known as one of the giants of the Chicano art movement of the 1960s and ’70s. Famous for his posters, graphic prints and murals that highlighted the political and social issues of the community, Montoya’s work feels as fresh and as urgent decades later presented in “Por el Pueblo: The Legacy and Influence of Malaquías Montoya” at the Oakland Museum of California. The exhibition features photographs, historical and familial ephemera as well as early works by Montoya.
“Por el Pueblo” not only highlights Montoya’s role as a founding father of the movement, but also shows how his work continues to inspire a new generation of artists today. Showing that through line is a group of contemporary artworks by Julio Salgado, Elyse DoyleMartinez, Leslie Lopez, Israel Campos — all artists who are inspired by Montoya’s legacy.
The issues Montoya addressed more than 50 years ago continue to be relevant today, making “Por el Pueblo” a timely examination. “Por el Pueblo”: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday. Through June 30. $12-$19. Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. 510-3188400. www.museumca.org