Background
Esther Parada was born in May 1938, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States.
Parrish Hall at the center of the Swarthmore College campus
Pratt Institute
Esther Parada was born in May 1938, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States.
Esther Parada received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Art History from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania (1960), a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York (1962), and a Master of Science in Photography from Illinois Institute of Technology, Institute of Design, Chicago.
Esther Parada has taught photography at the University of Illinois in Chicago since 1972, first as a lecturer (until 1975) and in the 1980s as an assistant professor of photography. She was a graphic designer for Science Research Associates in Chicago (1969-1971) and for Chicago State University Publications Office (1967-1969). Esther Parada taught art at the University of St. Francis Xavier in Sucre, Bolivia, in 1964-1966.
Besides photography, Esther Parada is also known for her sculptural macramé hangings. She previously created photo installation works, a series of modular units forming a large wall or hanging piece, done with mixed media.