Reliably Austin
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Texas Women's History Month: An Artist Inspired By The Past

Consuelo González Amezcua (called Chelo), a poet and artist, gained acclaim for the "filigree art" drawings she did in Texas, which drew inspiration from pre-Columbian, Mexican American and Egyptian history. Her unique drawing technique reflected the elaborate metal work found in Mexican jewelry.

 

Using ballpoint pens and paper or cardboard, she drew incalculable, intricate and miniscule lines in black and white, with splashes of green, blue or red, to create each piece. In later years, she also used felt tip pens and a wider color palette. For a period, she carved complex drawings onto shell stone she found on the Pecos River in Del Rio, where she lived most of her life.

 

Occasionally, GonzálezAmezcua added her own poetry to her drawings or included explanatory comments on the back of a work. Collected in a book called Cantares y Poemas, her poems drew from her experience growing up along the border, her friends, faith, family and her support for the Chicano movement.

 

This month, KUT is partnering with the Ruthe Winegarten Foundation to celebrate Women's History Month. Every day, we'll bring you a short feature spotlighting a historic woman, movement, or group of women in Texas.