Richie Havens - Freedom

Emmanuel C. Montoya

A new (April 2023) color linocut by Apachicano printmaker Emmanuel C. Montoya, a descendent of Apache and Mexican heritages, was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 16, 1952. Montoya resides in the San Francisco Bay Area where he attended public schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985 and a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking in 1991 from San Francisco State University.

As a 17 year old he heard Richie Havens' anthem "Freedom" which Havens sang as the opening act at Woodstock in 1969. The song and the musician made a lasting impression on Montoya, Havens also had Native American heritage on his Grandfather's side (Blackfoot) and was a major influence on the young self identified 'Apachicano' artist. This colorful, dynamic image is in part Montoya's homage to the musician with whom he identified over 50 years ago.

Richard Pierce Havens (1941-2013) was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music encompassed elements of folk, soul and rhythm and blues. He had a rhythmic guitar style (often in open tunings). He was the opening act at Woodstock, sang many jingles for television commercials.