Fernando Eros Caro is a Yaqui (traditionally called Yoeme) Indian on Death
Row in San Quentin, California, State Prison. During his incarceration,
Fernando has taught himself to paint after initial instruction through a
program offered at the prison. His beautiful murals help create a family
environment in the San Quentin visiting room, and his paintings have been
exhibited at the 1992 Art in Chains Show at the Mission Cultural Center in
San Francisco, and at galleries in Geneva, Oslo, and Rome.
When Fernando arrived on Death Row, he had no idea what to expect. He had
an enormous amount of time on his hands with nothing to do, so he began to
draw with a short golf pencil that was provided to him. He first drew
animals, then faces. He found out drawing occupied his mind and his time,
helped him relax, and provided a temporary escape from his repressive
surroundings.
As time went on he learned to paint. His artwork became his friend and a
means of support. It's a strange coincidence that he would probably never
have realized his talent had he not ended up on Death Row. His discovery
of his ability came about from the necessity for his brain to do something
other than stare at four walls-and a golf pencil set his direction.
The human spirit can be extremely strong. It is clear to see why a
person's spirit is constantly being attacked by factions inside the
prison. Once the spirit is broken, the body follows, and the person
becomes easier to control. He uses the mystic deer of Yaqui tradition as
his foundation. It provides a cause, a belief, a source of strength, and
a connection with his ancestral origins.
Fernando Caro was born into a farm worker family in Brawley, California,
in 1949 which was a rigidly segregated agricultural community at the
time. He grew up in a make shift house outside of town, surrounded by
fields, irrigation ditches, and animals stockyards. He worked in the
fields during his youth and adolescence
Nevertheless, he was the first member of his family to graduate from high
school and enter college. He later joined the Marine Corps, married, and
is the father of 3 children, Daniel, Isabel, and Jesse. He was arrested
for murder in 1980, and although he pled not guilty, was sentenced to
death in 1982. His case is currently under appeal due to the many
irregularities in his trial.
Fernando's attorneys need money and volunteers for investigation and
testing. Please send contributions to assist in stopping this senseless
execution.
Fernando E. Caro Defense Account
c/o American Indian Movement
3145 Geary Blvd. #517
San Francisco, California 94118
Phone (415) 386-4373
Also Contact the American Indian Movement to obtain paintings of
Fernando Caro and other Native American Prisoner artist.