Works on canvas

Enrique Chagoya is well known for combining elements of pre-Columbian mythology, American pop culture and religious symbols in his satirical and often irreverent art. Some of his memorable images include American cartoon and comic book characters such as Superman juxtaposed with Aztec figures and pop idols such as Elvis placed next to the Virgin of Guadeloupe. Some of his more recent works poke fun at the current U.S. president as seen in a series of prints titled, Saint George and the Dragon. Chagoya, an assistant professor of art at Stanford University, works with a variety of media including painting, drawing, printmaking and video animation. His work is in the collections of the National Museum of American Art, Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and others. In 2000, the Nevada Museum of Art presented Locked In Paradise, which featured Chagoya’s paintings, prints and codices, which are based on the ancient Mayan book form. The artist will visit Reno again for a show at the University of Nevada, Reno, which opens Nov. 15 at Sheppard Art Gallery, located in the Church Fine Arts Complex at the University of Nevada, Reno. You can see works such as Aparicion Sublime (pictured). Chagoya will give a lecture prior to the reception, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18. Call 784-6658 for details.—Kelley Lang