Harry Gamboa Jr. photographing Roy Martinez, Artist, for Chicano Male Unbonded series.
Los Angeles, 2016
©2016, Denae Howard
Harry Gamboa Jr.: Chicano Male Unbonded
https://theautry.org/exhibitions/harry-gamboa-jr-chicano-male-unbonded
September 16, 2017 – August 5, 2018
Autry Museum of the American West
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027-1462
Map and Directions:
Museum Hours
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays.
Harry Gamboa Jr. – Chicano Male Unbonded Photography Series
Excerpt from essay COLA 96 97 98 exhibition catalogue (pg. 26)
written by
Robert Byer
Gamboa’s work has continued in this “social surrealist” vein, driven by a need to distort and magnify the absurdity, chaos, and violence of contemporary urban experience. As in Gamboa’s other work, the Chicano Male Unbonded series rhetorically exaggerates and mocks stereotypical perceptions of ethnic identity as a response to his awareness of the complexities of negotiating and affirming it. The strategy of the photographs is simultaneously to acknowledge and counteract the image of the Chicano male as signifier of urban danger and criminality, as menacing Other. Gamboa poses and photographs his subjects in a way that seems to confirm or heighten such stereotypical connotations. A sense of dangerous confrontation is evoked by a series of theatrical devices: the men stand alone in deserted, dimly lit outdoor urban settings at night; with arms crossed or in their pockets, they look directly and unsmilingly into the camera; a low camera angle endows them with a presence that looms menacingly over us. These characters of the urban setting and of self-presentation guide the viewer to reductively read them as signifiers of the character of the photo graphed subjects, as identifying marks of Chicano maleness. This reading is subverted by the titles and captioned biographies of the photographed subjects, who are identified as academics, artists, actors, lawyers and other professionals, pillars of the community not the potential muggers they at first appear to be. Another look discloses quite ordinary dress and unremarkable physiognomies. The idea of “the Chicano male” is displaced finally by a series of individuals who do not exhibit any obvious visible qualities which connects or defines them as “Chicano,” a quality contained by rather than containing them. His subjects, then, are “unbonded” both in our initial sense of them being not yet bonded (that is, criminally dangerously, on the loose, beyond the control of the authorities), and in our final sense of their being freed from such “bonded” images and from the bonding performed by such images.
©1998,
City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department
Selected works from Chicano Male Unbonded series are in the permanent collection of the following institutions:
Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
Washington, D.C.
Autry Museum of the American West
Los Angeles, California
Video
Harry Gamboa Jr.’s ‘Chicano Male Unbonded’ Highlights Diversity Of Chicano Male Identity
Artbound
KCET
September 15, 2017
https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/harry-gamboa-jrs-chicano-male-unbonded-highlights-diversity-of-chicano-male-identity
Suggested Reading
Harry Gamboa Jr. Captures the Chicano Male Experience
CSUN Today
December 1, 2017
http://csunshinetoday.csun.edu/arts-and-culture/harry-gamboa-jr-captures-the-chicano-male-experience/
East L.A. Punk Pioneer Gerardo Velasquez Lives On In a Chinatown Gallery Show
Liz Ohanesian
L.A. Weekly
October 16, 2017
http://www.laweekly.com/arts/how-gay-east-la-punk-pioneer-gerardo-velasquez-translated-his-aesthetic-into-art-8758030
Harry Gamboa Jr. at Autry Museum
Anna Garner
Contemporary Art Review
October 6, 2017
http://contemporaryartreview.la/harry-gamboa-jr-at-autry-museum-of-the-american-west/
Harry Gamboa Jr.
Travis Diehl
Artforum
September 12, 2017
https://www.artforum.com/words/#entry71024
Chicano Males Stare Down Stereotypes
Brian de los Santos
NPR
April 25, 2013
http://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2013/04/25/178668030/chicano-males-stare-down-stereotypes
The Artists Take Over
Katie Schaufelberger
Los Angeles Downtown News
November 5, 2010
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2010/11/05/entertainment/doc4cd47f04b3103706462176.txt
This side of paradise
Jana J. Monji
Pasadena Weekly
July 3, 2008
http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/this_side_of_paradise/6140
‘This Side of Paradise’ at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
Christopher Knight
Los Angeles Times
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Page E1
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-paradise18-2008jun18,0,7824256.story
Technological Rituals:
Stories From The Annenberg Dialogues n.1 and n.2
Rosanna Albertini
Annenberg Center for Communication
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
1999
Harry Gamboa Jr.
Robert Byer
COLA 96/97/98
exhibition catalogue (
pgs. 26 & 27)
Municipal Art Gallery
Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department
Los Angeles, 1998
A “COLA” That Refreshes
Christopher Knight
Los Angeles Times
Calendar (pgs. 1 & 8)
May 27, 1998
http://articles.latimes.com/1997-05-27/entertainment/ca-62803_1_municipal-art-gallery/2
Resolutions: Contemporary Video Practices
Edited by Michael Renov, Erika Suderburg
University Of Minnesota Press
1995
The Magic Of Photography:
Ideas Images Take Shape At Fotofest 94
Johnson, Patricia C.
The Houston Chronicle
Houston, Texas
November 14, 1994
Losing Focus?
Houston Press
December 1, 1994
http://www.houstonpress.com/1994-12-01/culture/losing-focus
Contemporary Identities: 1993 Phoenix Triennial: 23 Artists
Bruce D. Kurtz, Karen C. Hodges
Phoenix Art Museum
1993
Exhibiting Tolerance
The Arizona Republic
(pg. E1)
Phoenix, Arizona
August 22,1993
Images Capture Human Drama
David Steinberg
Albuquerque Journal
Albuquerque, New Mexico
February 28, 1992
Curriculum Viva:
An Art Of Persona By Latinos Of Los Angeles
Margaret Lazzari
Visions
Vol.6, No. 2
Los Angeles, California
Spring, 1992
Iluminado Fronteras
Kurt Hollander
Poliester
Numero 1
Mexico D.F., Mexico
Primavera, 1992
Report From Los Angeles:
Community Access
Kurt Hollander
Art In America
(Vol. 80, No. 6
pgs. 57-61)
New York, New York
June, 1992
Iluminado:
Insight From Inside
Susan Kandel
Los Angeles Times
Calendar section
Los Angeles, California
August 15, 1991
http://articles.latimes.com/1991-08-15/entertainment/ca-574_1_public-art
Chicano Male Unbonded has been funded in part by fellowships awarded by the following organizations:
The Rockefeller Foundation/CSULA
2004
The Durfee Foundation
2001
The Flintridge Foundation
2000
California Arts Council
1996
Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department
1996
Art Matters, Inc.
1996
J.P. Getty Trust Fund for the Visual Arts
1990
Special thanks to:
Larry Liang
Bailey Wong
Chon Noriega, Ph.D.
UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
Yvonne Yarbro-Bejarano, Ph.D.
Stanford University
Eloy Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Carlos G. Vélez-Ibáñez, Ph.D.
Arizona State University
Daniel Centofanti
Individuals included in the series:

Father Richard Estrada, Priest, Church of the Ephphany (Episciopal Church), 2017
from Chicano Male Unbonded series
©2017, Harry Gamboa Jr.
11 inches x 14 inches
Gelatin Silver Print
Edition of six
2017
Father Richard Estrada, Priest, Church of the Ephphany (Episciopal Church)
Daniel Hernandez, Journalist
Esteban Perez, Artist
Hugo Hopping, Artist
Angelo Gomez, Artist
Eduardo Robles, Mescalero
Daniel Quinonez, Brewer/Theorist
2016
Raul Baltazar, Artist
Roy Martinez, Artist
2013
Abel Baker Gutierrez, Artist
Benjamin Quiñones, Writer
Andres Garza, Film Director
Pete Galindo, Producer
2012
Orlando Tirado, Writer
2011
Louie Pérez, Musician (Los Lobos)
Rupert Garcia, Artist
Vance Valencia,
Actor
Arnulfo Reyes,
Photographer
Gabriel Gutierrez, Ph.D.
Historian
, CSU Northridge
Juan Renteria
, Photographer
Jose Lopez, Light Artist
Gregory Bojorquez,
Photographer, 2010
from Chicano Male Unbonded
©2010, Harry Gamboa Jr.
11 inches x 14 inches
Gelatin Silver Print
Edition of six
2010
William Moreno
, Impresario
Ricky Garay,
DJ/Promoter
Armando Duron
, Attorney
Gregory Bojorquez,
Photographer
2009
Mario Ybarra Jr.
, Artist
2008
James E. Blancarte,
Attorney
Antonio Vigil
, Artist
Chuy Benitez
, Photographer
Carlos Frésquez
, Artist
Arnoldo Vargas,
Photographer
Salomon Huerta,
Artist
2007
Vincent Ramos
, Artist
Mario T. Garcia, Ph.D.
, Historian
, UC Santa Barbara
Andres Janacua,
Artist
Daniel Cenedejaz
, Student,
CSU Northridge
Alejandro Cenedejaz Mendez,
Student
Gilbert “Magú” Lujan
, Artist
, 2005
from Chicano Male Unbonded
©2005, Harry Gamboa Jr.
11 inches x 14 inches
Gelatin Silver Print
Edition of six
2005
A.P. Gonzalez,
Writer/Director (UCLA)
Abel Correa,
Student/Community Political Activist,
UI Urbana-Champaign
Dominique Rodriguez
, Musician
(Killsonic)
Fidel E. Gomez
, Actor
Leo Limón
, Artist
Raudel de la Riva,
Artist
Del Zamora,
Actor
Manuel G. “Oso” Lopéz,
Witness/Warrior
Luis R. Torres
, Journalist
David Sandoval
, Director
, Educational Opportunity Program
, CSU Los Angeles
Adolfo “Rudy” Vargas
, Media Designer
John Ramirez, Ph.D.,
Chair
Department of Communcation Studies
, CSU Los Angeles
Gilbert “Magú” Lujan
, Artist
Naiche Starhawk Lujan,
Musician
Juan Pacheco
, Social Documentary Photographer
Julián Segura Camacho
, Author
2004
Richard Corona,
Provocateur
Ernesto Chávez, Ph.D.
Historian,
UT El Paso
Luis J. Rodriguez,
Author/Activist
Mike Muñoz
, School Counselor
William Franco, Artist
Victor Valle
, Scholar/Journalist
2003
Gabriel Vallejo,
Filmmaker/Writer
Lionel Maldonado, Ph.D.
, Chair
Chicano/a Studies,
CSU Los Angeles
Miguel Paredes Jr.
,Writer
Pete Navarro,
Attorney
Angel Carrillo,
Community Activist
Eriberto
Artist
, Westwood
James T. Rojas
, Urban Analyst
Gerard Meraz,
DJ/Mix Master
2001
Adam Avila,
Photographer
George Silva,
Writer
Francesco X. Siqueiros
, Master Printer/Artist
Joey Terrill,
Artist
Francisco Martinez,
Worker
Jose Lopez,
Light Artist
Marcos Loya,
Musician
Jose Lopez-Morin, Ph.D.,
Historian
, CSU Dominguez
Bobby Verdugo,
Counselor
Eugene Rodriguez,
Artist
Jaime Villaneda,
Curator, 2000
from Chicano Male Unbonded series
©2000, Harry Gamboa Jr.
11 inches x 14 inches
Gelatin Silver Print
Edition of six
2000
Rodolfo Acuña, Ph.D.
, Historian
, CSU Northridge
Luis Becerra,
Artist
Charles Canales,
Contemporary Arts Advocate
Victor Carrillo,
Poet
Tony Castañeda
, Student,
CSU Northridge
George Cisneros,
Artist/Composer
Xavier Cázares Cortéz,
Artist/Curator
Reuben de Leon,
Cultural Planner
Mario Flores
, High School Teacher
William Flores, Ph.D.
, Dean
, CSU Northridge
Jorge Garcia, Ph.D.
, Dean
, CSU Northridge
Ramon Garcia, Ph.D.
, Chicano Studies Professor
, CSU Northridge
Ruben Guevara,
Cultural Activist/Performer
Willie Herrón
, Artist/Musician
Jef Huereque
, Artist/Designer
Robert Diaz Le Roy
, Film Director/Actor
Harry Ortíz Liflan
, Artist
Joe Medina
, Photographer
Jim Mendiola
, Film Director
Ruben Mendoza
, Author
Sergio Muñoz-Sarmiento
, Artist/Writer
Mario Ontiveros, Ph.D.,
Art Historian
Brandon Perez
, Student,
CSU Northridge
B.G. Ramirez
, Graphic Artist
Jeffrey J. Rangel,
Art Historian
Phillip Rodriguez,
Film Director
Richard T. Rodriguez, Ph.D
, Chicano Studies Professor
, CSU Los Angeles
Alfred Salas
, Mexican Folkloric Dancer
Marcos Sanchez-Tranquilino
, Alchemist/Researcher
Ray Santisteban
, Film Director
Elias Serna,
High School Teacher
Esteban Torres
, Commisioner
(former U.S. Congressman)
Ruben Trejo,
Artist
Joe Harry Troncoso
, Artist
Luis A. Vega,
Writer/Performer
Carlos Velez-Ibañez, Ph.D.
Anthropologist
Jaime Villaneda,
Curator
Rio Yañez
, Student
, CALARTS
Tomás Ybarra-Frausto
, Associate Director
Arts and Humanities
, The Rockefeller Foundation
Willie Herrón
, Artist/Musician
, 2000
from Chicano Male Unbonded series
©2000, Harry Gamboa Jr.
11 inches x 14 inches
Gelatin Silver Print
Edition of six
1998
Tomas Carrasco
, Actor/Comedian
Abelardo de la Peña,
Internet Publisher
Octavio Tizóc Diaz-Gaitan
, Student
Lorenzo Flores III
, Student
, UC Berkeley
Lorenzo Flores Jr.,
Chicano Studies Professor,
CSU Northridge
Gary Fresquez
, Elementary School Teacher
James Gamboa
, High School Teacher
Ricardo Gonzalves
, Concrete Poet
Genaro Molina
, Photographer
, Los Angeles Times
Chon A. Noriega, Ph.D.
, Film Theorist,
UC Los Angeles
Roberto Sifuentes Sr.
, Chicano Studies Professor
, CSU Northridge
Raúl Homero Villa, Ph.D.
, Professor,
Occidental College
1997
Joe Carreño
, Zine Publisher
Harry T. Gamboa
, Printing Supervisor
(retired)
Otoño Luján
, Artist/Musician
Jason Ordaz
, Musician
Roberto Sifuentes Jr.
, Performance Artist
Jesús “Chuy” Torres,
Poet/Performer
Daniel Villarreal
, Actor
Juan Garza
, Film Director
, 1996
from Chicano Male Unbonded
©1996, Harry Gamboa Jr.
11 inches x 14 inches
Gelatin Silver Print
Edition of six
1996
C. Ondine Chavoya, Ph.D.
Art Historian
Juan Garza
, Film Director
José Luis Ruiz
, Executive Producer
, Chicano!
Roberto Trujillo, Ph.D
, Head
, Special Collections
, Stanford University Libraries

Juan Felipe Herrera,
Poet, 1995
from Chicano Male Unbonded series
©1995, Harry Gamboa Jr.
11 inches x 14 inches
Gelatin Silver Print
Edition of six
1995
Rudy Guglielmo Jr.,
Arts Administrator
Jack Vargas
, Librarian
Juan Felipe Herrera,
Poet
1994
Alfred Arteaga
, Poet
Roberto Bedoya
, Poet
Robert Buitron
, Photographer
George Gamboa,
Polymer Technical Engineer
Ken Zaragoza
, Student
1993
Henry J. Gutierrez, Ph.D.
, Professor
, CSU San Jose
Willie Varela,
Film/Video Director
1992
Ralph Cordova
, Performance Artist
Richard Montoya
, Actor/Comedian
Jesús Salvador Treviño
, Film/Television Director
Armando Rascón
, Artist/Curator
Rene Yañez,
Artist/Curator
Diego Gamboa
, Student
Anthony C. Sandoval
, Performer

Humberto Sandoval, Actor, 1991
from Chicano Male Unbonded
series
©1991, Harry Gamboa Jr.
11 inches x 14 inches
Gelatin Silver Print
Edition of six
1991
David Avalos,
Artist
Oscar Garza
, Arts Editor,
Los Angeles Times
Victor Gamboa,
Elementary School Teacher
Curtis Gutierrez
, Artist
Miguel Juarez,
Paseño
Eloy Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Phytochemist,
UC Irvine
Humberto Sandoval
, Actor
John Valadez
, Artist
Zaragosa Vargas, Ph.D.
Historian
, UC Santa Barbara
Gerardo Velázquez
, Synthesized Music Composer
Rick Salazar
, Photographer
http://www.harrygamboajr.com