José Esquivel

José Esquivel (June 10, 1935 – December 12, 2022), a Chicano artist and commercial artist based in San Antonio, Texas, has been called "one of the earliest and most important Chicano artists in Texas." He is best known for his depictions of life in Chicano barrios. Esquivel also spent a lengthy period as a wildlife artist between 1973 and 1991, when he withdrew from Chicano art due to its association with radicalism. However, Felipe Reyes, the primary organizer of the Con Safo art group, says Esquivel was “the least activist group member.” He was pre-deceased by Maria Inez Esquivel, his wife of 55 years. though, at that time, Esquivel had quit making Chicano art for a period of several years. Esquivel's work has been shown at various university exhibitions.

His ink drawing Untitled, 1967 (private collection), features a surreal tableau that mysteriously appears on a tree stump.

His watercolor and mixed media work Golden Hand, 2016, was acquired by the City of San Antonio.

His painting Haunted, 2022, a bleak vision of an empty house, is the last major artwork Esquivel completed.

Personal life He worked a full-time job and took freelance work as an artist to support his family.

Esquivel died at Methodist Hospital on December 12, 2022, aged 87.