While César Chávez was in the limelight actively protesting for Chicano civil rights in 1970′s California, Jesús Garza was right beside him, quietly documenting the commotion using black and white film.
Born in San José, Calif. to campesinos from Crystal City, Texas, Garza says he’s been taking photos ever since he bought his first film camera at a flea market at 11-years-old. For more than four decades, he has been photographing interesting characters he has encountered throughout his life, making them timeless. Currently, Garza continues to lecture and show his images at universities, libraries, museums and galleries. “The Chicano Photographer†series, which Garza took from 1970-1975, is also part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Collection. And this summer, he says the Musée D’Aquitaine in Bordeaux, France will be exhibiting five of his photos.