Victor Ochoa was born in Los Angeles in 1948 and identifies as a headstrong Chicano with a unique border perspective. Born to undocumented parents, Victor grew up between borders while experiencing conflicts of race, citizenship status, political identity, and culture. He is now a renowned muralist, with a heavy influence in Chicano Park and the Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park. His art centers on Chicano narratives, embracing indigenous knowledge, and creating political statements. This interview covers topics such as growing up between the US-Mexico Border, issues of Chicanx identity, the role of art in the Chicanx community, and the Anastasio Hernández Rojas Mural that is currently in progress in Chicano Park, as well as the impact COVID-19 had has on the mural. This interview was conducted over Zoom to practice social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The interview was conducted by Bernice Garcia Gutierrez, a third year Political Science major and a San Diego local Chicana interested in migration and border dynamics.
June 12, 2020
Victor Ochoa Oral History
