Francisco Delgado

Francisco is a vital part of El Paso’s artistic community. He was the first artist we met with on the project, and that felt right considering the history he was able to share and ground us in. We joined him in his studio for a look at his recent printmaking and collaborative painting projects, and then we joined him in his truck for a ride around Segundo Barrio, a historic neighborhood that Francisco grew up in. He noted how the neighborhood has changed since his growing up there, and as a result of the gentrification that has begun to grip the city.

We take knowledge like Frank’s for granted: he was able to trace the entirety of the neighborhood from one mural to another: The murals that he grew up with, the murals he created alongside local students (he’s a high school teacher), the murals that mark Segundo as the entirely unique place it is. He also knew to take us to Bowie Bakery, where he brought back some empanadas to his kids. To learn more about his artistic projects, check out his website.

In Frank’s own words: “Francisco Delgado (b. 1974) was born in Cuidad Juárez and grew up in El Paso’s Segundo Barrio. Delgado’s Bordeño artworks are informed by the social and cultural struggles inherent in life on the Mexican and United States border. Delgado explores conflicts in which the artwork questions problems of racism, identity struggles, Mexican and United States traditions, and U.S. government’s policies affecting immigrants. He often uses dark humor and satire to depict his narratives.”