Elegy on the Death of César Chávez

One of the most influential authors in Chicano literature, Rudolfo Anaya has earned international acclaim for his skillful mingling of realism, fantasy and myth in novels exploring the experiences of Hispanics in the American Southwest. Novelist, poet, short story author, essayist, playwright and children's book writer--Mr. Anaya has been called the godfather of Chicano literature in English, one of the best writers in this country, un hijo del pueblo, and a son of New Mexico. His long list of national and international awards include the prestigious Premio Quinto Sol national Chicano Literary Award for his first novel, Bless Me, Ultima. GASPAR ENRIQUEZ, whose super-realistic paintings are exhibited all over the country, was born and grew up on the south side of El Paso, Texas. He illustrated Elegy on the Death of César Chávez by Rudolfo Anaya. He lives in San Elizario, a small village near the border of the United States and Mexico, in a 250-year-old house built by his wife's great-great grandfather. He has a fine arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and a master's degree from New Mexico State University. He is an art instructor at Bowie High School in El Paso. In 1994, he received a Mid-America Arts Alliance Fellowship. His work was included in the important and ground-breaking Chicano Art / Resistance and Affirmation show that traveled throughout the United States in the early 90s.