The Huntington Presents Major Chicano Art Exhibition, “Radical Histories: Chicano Prints from the Smithsonian American Art Museum”

Key Takeaways

• West Coast debut: The traveling exhibition, which kicked off in 2022, presents a selection of works from one of the most important collections of Chicano prints in the United States.
• Exclusive new commission: As a complement to the exhibition’s Southern California stop, The Huntington has commissioned a new artwork by printmaker and muralist Melissa Govea in partnership with Self Help Graphics & Art.
• Bilingual interpretation and regional relevance: Featuring Spanish and English text and contextualized by Los Angeles’ deep-rooted Chicano printmaking history, The Huntington’s presentation bridges past and present artistic movements.

The Huntington will host the West Coast debut of “Radical Histories: Chicano Prints from the Smithsonian American Art Museum” from Nov. 16, 2025 to March 2, 2026, in the MaryLou and George Boone Gallery. On loan from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the exhibition’s 60 bold works by some 40 artists and collectives span more than six decades of Chicano printmaking as a form of resistance, community building, and cultural reclamation. 

“After years of planning, we are pleased to present to our audiences ‘Radical Histories,’ which celebrates the artistry of Chicano printmakers whose works have served as strong voices for their communities and catalysts for social change,” said Christina Nielsen, the Hannah and Russel Kully Director of the Art Museum at The Huntington. “These works are powerful. Presenting them here at The Huntington is a recognition of their significance and how they can spark connections among the institution’s multifaceted collections.”

Starting with the late 1960s Delano Grape Strike, which led to the formation of the United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union, the prints in “Radical Histories” capture pivotal moments in the history of community activism and the formation of collective identity. Chicano artists used silkscreens, posters, and offset prints to mobilize communities—often with biting humor, vibrant colors, and unmistakable urgency.

A Distinctive West Coast Context

“Los Angeles has long been a hub for Chicano printmaking, with Self Help Graphics at its heart since 1973,” said Dennis Carr, Virginia Steele Scott Chief Curator of American Art. “It is a place where generations of artists have tackled major issues of their time and continue to inspire some of the most important artistic voices of today.”

Unique to The Huntington’s presentation of “Radical Histories,” the institution has commissioned a mural by Los Angeles–based artist Melissa Govea (Purépecha) in collaboration with Self Help Graphics & Art, the pioneering East Los Angeles print studio that has supported Chicano and Latino artists since 1973. Govea is known for her interdisciplinary practice exploring labor, identity, and community. The mural, inspired by works in the exhibition, will be on view in a dedicated section of the gallery, bridging the legacy of the 1960s with contemporary movements.

Printmaking as Transformative Storytelling

The exhibition is arranged in five thematic sections: “Together We Fight,” “¡Guerra No!” (No War!), “Violent Divisions,” “Rethinking América,” and “Changemakers.” Each section highlights how Chicano artists have used the accessible and reproducible medium of printmaking to confront injustice, affirm cultural identity, and engage in transformative storytelling.

Section 1: Together We Fight

The opening section explores how the UFW, cofounded by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, collaborated with visual and performance artists to support the fight for farmworkers’ rights. Key labor actions inspired a wave of Chicano art that functioned as both political expression and tangible solidarity. Artists adopted the UFW’s iconic black eagle, embedding it in posters, prints, and murals that raised awareness and helped fund the movement. The union’s visual language extended beyond its own campaigns, appearing in advocacy materials for the Texas Farm Workers Union and the Cannery Workers Committee in Sacramento.

Section 2: ¡Guerra No! (No War!)

Since the 1960s, Chicano graphic art has played a vital role in advancing antiwar resistance. These works serve as rallying cries, counternarratives to mainstream media, and spaces of reflection. Chicano artists have used print and poster art to critically examine U.S. military interventions in Vietnam, El Salvador, Chile, Iraq, and elsewhere.

Section 3: Violent Divisions

The U.S.-Mexico border has been a central theme in Chicano art. Printmaking has enabled Chicano artists to raise awareness about the experiences of immigrant communities because it is affordable and prints are easily distributed. Recurring iconography—such as the monarch butterfly, a symbol of natural migration—challenges the notion of geopolitical boundaries. Figures like the Virgin of Guadalupe and ancient Mesoamerican goddesses appear as powerful cultural symbols.

Section 4: Rethinking América

This section presents works that broaden historical narratives by including perspectives rooted in resistance and cultural reclamation. The artists drew inspiration from revolutionary figures and movements to create narratives that center Mexican American and Indigenous perspectives. Using mapmaking and record forms like the ancient Mesoamerican codex, Chicano artists also created speculative past and present narratives to reimagine social landscapes. 

Section 5: Changemakers 

Portraiture is a cornerstone of Chicano art, used to educate audiences and celebrate both cultural icons and overlooked figures. Artists often base their portraits on documentary photographs, transforming black-and-white images into vivid prints that honor the subject’s life and legacy. Featured changemakers include political prisoners, activist leaders, attorneys, actors, and artists—individuals who challenged the status quo and shaped history. 

Public Programming and Exhibition Catalog

The Huntington will further explore the exhibition’s themes by offering a range of public programs. One highlight will be a two-day conference, December 5–6, 2025, presented in conjunction with the exhibition. The event will showcase The Huntington’s rich collections in graphic arts, works on paper, Hispanic and California history, as well as other archival materials.

The accompanying catalog, ¡Printing the Revolution! The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now (2020), expands on the exhibition’s themes and offers insight into the history of the Chicano graphic arts movement. Edited by former Smithsonian American Art Museum curator E. Carmen Ramos, the publication is available for purchase at the Huntington Store and online at thehuntingtonstore.org.

For media inquiries or to request high-resolution press images, email huntingtonnews@huntington.org.

“Radical Histories: Chicano Prints from the Smithsonian American Art Museum” is organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Generous support for this exhibition is provided by the Douglas and Eunice Erb Goodan Endowment. Additional funding is provided by The Ahmanson Foundation Exhibition and Education Endowment, the Boone Foundation, Dorian Huntington Davis, The Melvin R. Seiden-Janine Luke Exhibition Fund in memory of Robert F. Erburu, and The Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation.

About The Huntington

The Huntington, a world-renowned cultural and educational institution, provides transformative experiences for a community of the curious. Founded in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington, it supports research and promotes public engagement through its expansive library, art, and botanical collections. By cultivating dynamic scholarship, creating innovative programs for students and lifelong learners, and sharing its extraordinary resources, The Huntington invites all on a journey of discovery, insight, and connection. Only 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles, The Huntington is located at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California. Learn more at huntington.org.