Unmasking Chicano Heritage with Zarco Guerrero
Updated: Sep 21
Welcome back to Arizona Barrio Stories! In our latest episode of the Más con Carmela Show, host Carmella Ramirez sits down with a true Arizona superstar. Carmella, who specializes in highlighting the arts and culture of Phoenix, brings us an intimate conversation with one of the most prominent influences in Chicano history and heritage: the one and only Zarco Guerrero.
From his humble beginnings playing with masa to studying under master artists across the globe, Zarco’s story is a profound journey of cultural preservation, activism, and boundless creativity.
Deep Roots and Early Inspirations
Zarco Guerrero is deeply rooted in Arizona. Born and raised in Mesa, his family represents the generations of Mexicans who were already living in the region when it was still part of Mexico. He proudly notes that his family never immigrated; they have been in the Southwest for centuries. Growing up, his parents instilled in him a fierce pride in both his Mexican and Indigenous heritage, setting the ideological foundation for his life's work.
His artistic journey began at home, surrounded by everyday magic.
His Father's Influence: Zarco recalls watching his father paint portraits, an experience he found truly magical and inspiring.
His Mother's Gift: His mother would make large tortillas, known as "Sobaqueras," and would often give young Zarco a piece of the masa dough to sculpt and play with, sparking his earliest artistic visions.
Cultural Immersion: Every year, his father took him to witness the Yaqui Pasqua ceremonies in Guadalupe, a profound ceremonial dance that stuck with him for his entire life.
Activism also played a critical role in shaping his path. In 1968, as a teenager, Zarco watched civil rights leader Cesar Chavez being carried out of the Santa Rita Center on a stretcher during his famous fast. Witnessing a fellow Chicano sacrifice his health and life to bring attention to the plight of farmworkers and working-class people gave Zarco a profound sense of direction for the next 50 years.
The Evolution of a Master Sculptor and Mask Maker
Inspired by Cesar Chavez’s call for the Chicano community to capture their history through murals, theater, music, and poetry, Zarco noticed a gap. While his peers in San Francisco and Sacramento were painting murals and performing music, no one was focusing on sculpture. He decided that this would be his calling.
His dedication to mastering his craft took him far beyond the borders of Arizona:
Mexico: Zarco traveled to Mexico where he met Francisco Zúñiga, considered one of the greatest artists in the world, who pointed him toward the right mentors.
Japan: Awarded a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, Zarco went to Japan for a one-year apprenticeship to study traditional Noh masks, eventually returning 12 different times over 30 years to continue carving with his sensei.
Indonesia: His travels also took him to Bali, Indonesia, where he worked with various local artists to expand his techniques, including the use of paper clay.
While in Mexico, Zarco was blown away by both ancient and contemporary Indigenous mask-making traditions. Realizing that Chicano artists lacked this in their repertoire, he made it his mission to integrate the mask as a living element in Chicano expression.
Unmasking the Meaning: Transcendence over Death
During the interview, Zarco shared a few of his incredible masks with Carmella. He showcased a carved wooden mahogany mask created using Japanese standards, representing the iconic Calaca.
Though highly popular during Dia de los Muertos, Zarco corrected a common misconception: this image does not represent death. In ancient Mexican and Indigenous cultures, there was no word for "death" as a final ending. Instead, the image is called the Mikiztli, which translates to "transcendence". By carving it, decorating it, and giving it a sinister smile, the artist honors indigenous ancestors and acknowledges that transcendence is always with us.
He also shared a completely different piece—a paper clay mask from his time in Indonesia, which he calls a "funny face" mask. In his spare time, Zarco loves to craft these silly faces simply to make people laugh, reminding us that laughter truly is the best medicine.
The Triumphs and Heartbreaks of Public Art
One of the highlights of Zarco's career was being commissioned by the City of Phoenix to create a statue honoring Cesar Chavez shortly after the leader's passing. Collaborating with Chavez's family members, farmworker movement activists, and local leaders, Zarco described the project as a dream come true and a monumental honor.
However, public art often intersects with complex political landscapes. When asked about the recent, sudden removal of the Cesar Chavez statue, Zarco expressed deep grief. Having known Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and their families personally, Zarco admitted to feeling tormented, betrayed, and angry by the rapid removal of the monument. It was a heartbreak shared by many in the community.
Celebrating 50 Years of Artistry
Despite the hurdles, Zarco’s legacy continues to shine brighter than ever. He is currently celebrating a monumental milestone with a 50-Year Retrospective at the Mesa Art Center. Put together by the Culture Coalition and his wife, Carmen, this massive exhibition features over 100 pieces of his work, including tall sculptures, masks, and installations.
Important Upcoming Dates & Projects:
The Retrospective: The exhibition opens at the Mesa Art Center on September 11th and will run for a full four months through January.
A Bold New Statement: Visitors to the retrospective will get to see what Zarco did with the original model of the Cesar Chavez statue. After curators hesitated to exhibit it as-is, Zarco tweaked the model to make a bold, potentially disturbing, but necessary new statement.
Dia de los Muertos Festival: Zarco, who is credited with bringing the first community celebration of Dia de los Muertos to the Southwest, is hosting this year's festival at the Arizona Center on October 24th.
New Music: A former member of the popular band Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, Zarco is currently 90% finished with a new album being produced in Tucson by Sergio Mendoza of Orkesta Mendoza.
Looking ahead, Zarco hopes his 50-year retrospective will travel the country, with his sights set on the Cheech Museum in Riverside. For decades, many institutions denied the very existence of "Chicano art," but thanks to pioneers like Zarco Guerrero, that border-transcending culture is finally getting the museum recognition it deserves.
To Zarco Guerrero, we say thank you for sticking around, continuing to build Arizona, and keeping the vibrant heritage of the Latino community alive.
Be sure to watch the full interview on our YouTube channel, and let us know your thoughts!
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