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"A world of cultural hybrids and collisions" animates the work of Mexican-born San Francisco artist Enrique Chagoya, who taps Mexico's complex history, international politics, world religions and popular culture in his art. A single work incorporates a diverse selection of visual material from various cultures and time periods. Contemporary icons like Mickey Mouse, Superman, Wonder Woman, Che Guevara, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush may intermingle with more ancient figures, such as the Aztec god Mictlantecutli, Buddha, and the Virgin of Guadalupe among other religious icons in fantastic compositions. In his lively work, Chagoya also pays homage to history's other socially engaged artists, such as Honore Daumier, Francisco Goya, Jose Guadalupe Posada, John Heartfield and Philip Guston.
This is the first comprehensive exhibition of the artist's mid-career work. The 25-year survey features more than 60 of the artist's paintings, drawings, codices (accordion-folded books) and prints. The artist often utilizes the art materials of his native Mexico history, painting on tin (retablos) and amate (fig bark) paper (Aztec codices).
ENRIQUE CHAGOYA: BORDERLANDIA IS ORGANIZED BY THE DES MOINES ART CENTER. THE EXHIBITION IS SPONSORED BY THE LANNAN FOUNDATION AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP FOUNDATION, INC.; ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE JACQUELINE AND MYRON BLANK EXHIBITION FUND. SUPPORT FOR THE CATALOGUE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY GEORGE ADAMS GALLERY, GALLERY PAULE ANGLIM, AND STANFORD UNIVERSITY.
THE PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM SHOWING IS SUPPORTED BY A GRANT FROM THE JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION AND THE MUSEUM'S CONTEMPORARY ART COUNCIL.
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