Oscar Guillen, a local award-winning artist has been inspired by César Chávez throughout most of his life.

Although Guillen was born in the state of Washington in 1979, and moving to Mexico shortly afterwards, he came back to the U.S. in 1991. But a part of Mexico never left him as he brought a lot of its culture and knowledge back with him to the U.S.

Guillen was inspired by the amount of art and history in Mexico. He grew up reading a lot about artists, such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

His first memory of César Chávez was when he heard about him at the border in Mexico getting ready to go to Florida to do some migrant work. At that time a Spanish band, ‘Los Tigres del Norte,’ was playing “Corrido,” one of Chávez’s songs.

Guillen relates to César Chávez in many ways.

“He’s always been connected with education and the struggle,” Guillen said.

The main aspect that connects Guillen with Chávez is the idea of the non-violent struggle for justice.

“In the spirit of art I am able to convey certain situations,” Guillen said.

Alejandra Fraga can be reached at [email protected] or @alifragster on Twitter.