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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 9 March 2019
Exhibit on US Latina ‘cholas’ opens in Albuquerque

By RUSSELL CONTRERAS activity. For many Latinas, “Xicana Classic,” depicts a
Associated Press Gurule said the chola also chola from the 1970s sitting
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — represents strength and on a red circle and smiling
A national Hispanic center perseverance. with confidence.
is displaying a unique art “Many within our communi- The exhibit, which runs until
exhibit on the chola — the ties either were, or admired Aug. 4, is the latest attempt
working class, Mexican- and wanted to emulate, to create a new image
American urban female of- the chola growing up,” Gu- around the chola and ex-
ten associated with gangs. rule said. “She also repre- pand her meaning.
The National Hispanic Cul- sents real people with real The Los Angeles-based
tural Center in Albuquer- experiences. The chola is gang intervention group
que opened the “Que a persona developed in Homeboy Industries, for
Chola Exhibition” on Friday response to racism and example, sells clothing de-
with pieces by artists from sexism. To reduce her to a signed by former cholas
New Mexico, Arizona, Cali- gang member is shallow.” and runs Homegirl Cafe
fornia, Texas, and Colora- Pola Lopez, a Las Vegas, — a restaurant with food
do. In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019 photo of the painting entitled New Mexico, born artist prepared by former gang
“Coatlicue Lopez” by artist Pola Lopez hangs at the National
The displays feature the Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, before the opening who now lives in Los Ange- members gaining new
evolution of the chola from of a exhibit on the chola a working-class, Mexican-American les, said she was excited skills. The hip cafe is an off-
the World War II-era to the female often associated with urban gangs. when she was asked to shoot of social enterprises
contemporary figure trying Associated Press participate in the exhibit. founded by Jesuit priest
to survive in poor neigh- from flannel shirts and kha- image is a commentary of “The chola...you can’t mess Greg Boyle. And Art Laboe,
borhoods. Using paintings, ki pants to their dark eye poverty in urban U.S. cities with her,” said Lopez. “She a 93-year-old DJ based in
photography and sculp- makeup and indigenous- and symbolized a working- beautiful and represents us Palm Springs, California,
tures, the exhibit attempts theme tattoos. class Latina seeking to bat- in many ways.” allows cholas every Sun-
to cover images of the The image of the chola tled sexism. Her painting, “Coatlicue day on his syndicated old-
chola as an urban warrior, gained popularity in the Some Latina academics and Chola,” features a ies show “The Art Laboe
a mentor, a mother and late 1980s and early 1990s have playful said on so- homegirl leaning against a Connection Show” to call
political figure. with movies like “Colors” cial media that “you can’t statue of an Aztec goddess in and give dedications
Cholas, or homegirls, often and “Mi Vida Loca” (My spell scholar with the word Nanibah Chacon, a Nava- to their loved ones serv-
refers to a particular La- Crazy Life). In recent years, ‘CHOLA’.” jo and Hispanic artist from ing time in prison. Scholars
tina subculture in the U.S. scholars have countered Curator Jadira Gurule said Arizona, said she wanted and activists say the radio
characterized by a tough that the chola represents she agreed that the chola to create an image of a show helps humanize cho-
demeanor and distinctive more than just gang activ- is more than a so-called chola if she had been rep- las since it allows listeners to
style. They are identified ity. Latina scholars have dangerous female gang resented in midcentury ad- hear cholas express emo-
by their clothing ranging argued that the chola’s member linked to criminal vertisements. Her painting, tions of love and pain.q
Siriano, fresh off Oscar glory, talks ‘Project Runway’

By JOHN CARUCCI I think he’s a perfect men-
Associated Press tor,” Garcia said.
NEW YORK (AP) — Christian Elaine Welteroth is another
Siriano didn’t want the tux- new addition to the show,
edo gown he designed for serving as a judge. The
Billy Porter at the Oscars to former Teen Vogue editor
shock anyone. He simply called Siriano “America’s
wanted to make a bold designer darling.”
statement about celebrat- “People watch him rise up
ing identity. on this show and they’re
“You should be who you invested in him and his ca-
want to be on a red car- reer and so it’s so cool to
pet, off a red carpet. Wear see this full-circle moment
what you want to wear, no where he comes back, and
matter who you are, and I he can kind of raise up the
think that’s what that was next generation of ‘Project
all about,” Siriano said at Runway’ superstars,” she
a launch party Thursday said.
ahead of the upcoming Nina Garcia, from left, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell, Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano attend Siriano, who tried to sepa-
17th season of “Project the season premiere of Bravo’s “Project Runway” at Vandal on Thursday, March 7, 2019, in New rate himself from the show
Runway,” which premieres York. while he was building his
next Thursday on Bravo. Associated Press company, is happy to
The velvet custom tuxedo “I was thinking about es in store at “Project Run- duties as the show’s host, come home and share his
look for Porter did cause a reading these emails from way.” Nina Garcia, who replacing Heidi Klum. experiences with the young
sensation on social media, young kids being like, ‘I has been with the series for “I think Christian is our super- competitors.
but Siriano did not focus feel like I can wear what its entire run, returns as a star from ‘Project Runway.’ “If they have a red carpet
on any of the negative re- I want to wear to school judge. But Siriano, a winner He knows exactly what it challenge, I was like, ‘Well
action, especially when now because of what Billy from Season 4, will replace takes, what it took, and I just dressed seven peo-
he heard how it empow- did.’ And that’s what it’s all Tim Gunn as show mentor. how it’s going to change ple at the Oscars.’ I know
ered school-age children in about,” Siriano said. Another new face is model your life once you’re done something about a red car-
search of their identities. There are plenty of chang- Karlie Kloss, who takes on with ‘Project Runway.’ So, pet challenge.”q