Carlos Almaraz b. 1941 - 1989
Widely known for his contributions to the Chicano art world through his work with Los Four, a Los Angeles- based Chicano art collective responsible for bringing Chicano art to the attention of American art institutions, Almaraz reached critical local and international acclaim inspiring a generation struggling with their identity and place in society while simultaneously inspiring future generations. Almaraz’s style and technique developed drastically with life events that shaped his world views. Reflected through the extreme color pallets of his artwork, some works feed the eye with tremendous reds, yellows, and blues, while his later works draw the viewer to dive into the deep, dark sea of colors characteristic of the time period when he learned he had contracted HIV.