| Leo Politi (1908-1996) was born in Fresno, California, and at the age of six moved with his family to Italy where he eventually studied art. Upon returning to Los Angeles in the 1930s, Politi began capturing the images of Mexican immigrants who settled in the city's Olvera Street district. In 1938, Politi wrote and illustrated his first children's book -Little Pancho, the story of a young Mexican boy - and a dozen years later received the Caldecott Medal for his book, Song of the Swallow. The Fresno Public Library was named after him in 1980, and Leo Politi Elementary School in Los Angeles was dedicated in 1991. This exhibition is part of "Leo Politi 2008 Centennial Events," and includes Politi's gouache drawings and carvings from 1935 to 1945, along with illustrated books that reflect the artist’s approach toward the images of Olvera Street. |
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