Louis Carlos Bernal was a pioneering Chicano photographer who dedicated much of his career to chronicling the lives of Mexican Americans in Tucson and the Southwest.
He photographed everyday people in the barrios, often in their homes, in an attempt to create a vibrant and authentic record of life in his community.
Bernal’s work is the subject of a new exhibition at the University of Arizona’s Center for Creative Photography, which opens this weekend. It’s called “Retrospectiva,” and curator Elizabeth Ferrer has been working on it for years.
When Ferrer spoke with The Show’, she described one of Bernal’s iconic images — a photograph called “Dos Mujeres.”
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— Loncheria Junior, Louis Carlos Bernal - 20240911.jpg
Loncheria Junior, 1979, 2022.05.17
Louis Carlos Bernal, Loncheria Junior, 1979, Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Louis Carlos Bernal Archive. © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal. / Center for Creative Photography,
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— La Pelona, Louis Carlos Bernal - 20240911.jpg
La Pelona, Mexico, 1980, 2022.05.19
Louis Carlos Bernal, La Pelona, Mexico, 1980, Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Louis Carlos Bernal Archive. © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal. / Center for Creative Photography,
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— 4th Street Barrio, Louis Carlos Bernal - 20240911.jpg
4th Street Barrio, Douglas,1979, 2022.05.34
Louis Carlos Bernal, 4th Street Barrio, Douglas, 1979, Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Louis Carlos Bernal Archive. © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal. / Center for Creative Photography,
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— El Gato, Canutillo, Louis Carlos Bernal - 20240911.jpg
El Gato, Canutillo, New Mexico, 1979, 2022.05.42
Louis Carlos Bernal, El Gato, Canutillo, New Mexico, 1979, Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Louis Carlos Bernal Archive. © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal. / Center for Creative Photography,
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— Dos Mujeres, Douglas, Louis Carlos Bernal - 20240911.tif
Dos Mujeres, Douglas, Arizona,1978, 2022.05.46
Louis Carlos Bernal, Dos Mujeres, Douglas, Arizona, 1978, Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Louis Carlos Bernal Archive. © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal. / Center for Creative Photography,
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— Lubbock, Louis Carlos Bernal - 20240911.jpg
Lubbock, 2022.05.52
Louis Carlos Bernal, Untitled, 1987, Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Louis Carlos Bernal Archive. © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal. / Center for Creative Photography,
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— Calendario, 1977, from the Benitez Suite, Louis Carlos Bernal - 20240911.jpeg
Calendario, 1977, from the Benitez Suite, 79.87.5
Louis Carlos Bernal, Calendario,1977, Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Louis Carlos Bernal Archive. © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal.
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— Martinez Brothers in Candy Store Douglas, Louis Carlos Bernal - 20240911.jpeg
Martinez Brothers in Candy Store Douglas, Arizona, 1978, 82.77.80
Louis Carlos Bernal, Martinez Brothers in Candy Store, Douglas, Arizona, 1978, Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Gift of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal.
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— Cholos, Logan Heights, Louis Carlos Bernal - 20240911.jpg
Cholos, Logan Heights, 1980, 2022.05.35
Louis Carlos Bernal, Cholos, Logan Heights, San Diego, 1980, Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Louis Carlos Bernal Archive. © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal. / Center for Creative Photography,
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct where curator Elizabeth Ferrer is based.
KJZZ's The Show transcripts are created on deadline. This text is edited for length and clarity, and may not be in its final form. The authoritative record of KJZZ's programming is the audio record.
