ASCO: the rebel art collective that redefined Chicano identity
Pranjal Chandra | Mar 27, 2025, 21:50 IST
( Image credit : AP )
ASCO, a collective of young Chicano artists in 1970s East Los Angeles, used conceptual art and guerrilla performances to challenge mainstream exclusion and redefine Chicano creativity. The documentary 'ASCO: Without Permission' highlights their influence on art and the ongoing struggle for Latino representation.
In the 1970s, a group of young Mexican American artists in East Los Angeles defied societal norms, challenged mainstream exclusion, and redefined what it meant to be a Chicano artist. They called themselves ASCO, a Spanish word meaning "nausea" or "disgust," a name fitting for their frustration with the art world’s dismissal of Chicano creativity. Through conceptual art, guerrilla-style performances, and bold public statements, ASCO became pioneers in the Chicano civil rights movement, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire artists today.
Their groundbreaking journey is now the focus of a new documentary, ASCO: Without Permission, directed by Travis Gutiérrez Senger and executive produced by Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna. The film not only revisits ASCO’s impact on Chicano art history but also highlights the ongoing struggles of Latino representation in mainstream culture.
The origins of ASCO can be traced back to the political and social upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s. The Chicano civil rights movement was in full force, with protests such as the East LA walkouts and the Chicano Moratorium shedding light on systemic injustices, from racial discrimination in education to police brutality against Mexican Americans. While many artists turned to murals and traditional mediums to express their frustrations, ASCO took a radically different approach.
Founded by multidisciplinary artist Patssi Valdez, muralist Willie Herrón III, painter and performance artist Gronk, and writer-photographer Harry Gamboa Jr., the collective sought to redefine what Chicano art could be. Instead of waiting for institutional acceptance, they carved their own artistic paths, staging performances in the streets, subverting media narratives, and using satire to critique societal structures.
One of their most famous acts of defiance, Spray Paint LACMA, was a direct response to a curator’s claim that "Chicanos are in gangs, they don’t make art." Gamboa, Gronk, and Herrón spray-painted their names on the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in 1972, making a powerful statement about the art world’s exclusion of Chicano artists. Years later, in an ironic twist, LACMA itself hosted a retrospective of ASCO’s work, acknowledging their undeniable influence on contemporary art.
As the only woman in ASCO, Patssi Valdez faced the double burden of racism and sexism. Latino culture, while rich in tradition, often upheld conservative gender roles that limited women’s voices. Valdez refused to be sidelined. Her performance Instant Mural, in which she taped herself to a public wall, was a striking metaphor for the constraints imposed on women, both within her own community and society at large.
For years, narratives about ASCO often placed her male collaborators in the spotlight, downplaying her contributions. However, ASCO: Without Permission finally gives her the recognition she deserves. “For the first time, I was given an equal voice in the group,” she said. “That hadn’t happened before.”
Hollywood’s portrayal of Latinos in the 1970s was limited to stereotypes—maids, gang members, and criminals. ASCO rejected these depictions, creating No Movies, a series of staged photographs that parodied the film industry’s exclusion of Chicano actors. They even held their own satirical awards show, the Aztlan No Movie Awards, in which Valdez was honored as Best Actress. By doing so, ASCO both ridiculed and reclaimed the power of cinematic storytelling.
Their DIY approach continues to resonate with artists today. The documentary features testimonials from contemporary Latino creatives, including actor Michael Peña and comedian Arturo Castro, who acknowledge ASCO’s impact on their own careers and the broader fight for representation.
Though ASCO disbanded, their influence on art, activism, and Latino identity remains undeniable. The documentary underscores how their rebellious spirit lives on in younger generations of Chicano artists who challenge conventions, use public spaces for self-expression, and refuse to wait for mainstream validation.
Director Gutiérrez Senger sees ASCO’s story as more than just an artistic milestone; it is a call to action. “Latino history has always been erased,” he said. “ASCO: Without Permission is a story of winning a battle, not a war.”
For artists like Valdez and Gamboa, the message remains clear: you don’t need permission to create, to resist, or to tell your own story. ASCO’s legacy is not just about what they achieved—it’s about inspiring future generations to do the same.
Their groundbreaking journey is now the focus of a new documentary, ASCO: Without Permission, directed by Travis Gutiérrez Senger and executive produced by Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna. The film not only revisits ASCO’s impact on Chicano art history but also highlights the ongoing struggles of Latino representation in mainstream culture.
Art as a form of protest
Founded by multidisciplinary artist Patssi Valdez, muralist Willie Herrón III, painter and performance artist Gronk, and writer-photographer Harry Gamboa Jr., the collective sought to redefine what Chicano art could be. Instead of waiting for institutional acceptance, they carved their own artistic paths, staging performances in the streets, subverting media narratives, and using satire to critique societal structures.
One of their most famous acts of defiance, Spray Paint LACMA, was a direct response to a curator’s claim that "Chicanos are in gangs, they don’t make art." Gamboa, Gronk, and Herrón spray-painted their names on the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in 1972, making a powerful statement about the art world’s exclusion of Chicano artists. Years later, in an ironic twist, LACMA itself hosted a retrospective of ASCO’s work, acknowledging their undeniable influence on contemporary art.
Valdez and the fight for recognition
For years, narratives about ASCO often placed her male collaborators in the spotlight, downplaying her contributions. However, ASCO: Without Permission finally gives her the recognition she deserves. “For the first time, I was given an equal voice in the group,” she said. “That hadn’t happened before.”
'No Movies' and the satire of representation
Their DIY approach continues to resonate with artists today. The documentary features testimonials from contemporary Latino creatives, including actor Michael Peña and comedian Arturo Castro, who acknowledge ASCO’s impact on their own careers and the broader fight for representation.
ASCO’s legacy: a movement without permission
Director Gutiérrez Senger sees ASCO’s story as more than just an artistic milestone; it is a call to action. “Latino history has always been erased,” he said. “ASCO: Without Permission is a story of winning a battle, not a war.”
For artists like Valdez and Gamboa, the message remains clear: you don’t need permission to create, to resist, or to tell your own story. ASCO’s legacy is not just about what they achieved—it’s about inspiring future generations to do the same.