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Artist Profile: Enrique Chagoya
December 06, 2024
Artist Enrique Chagoya was born in Mexico City in 1953. From a young age, Chagoya’s father, an artist himself, encouraged his interest in art. Chagoya first attended the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México where he studied political economy and created political cartoons for the University’s newsletter.
Today, Chagoya’s artwork continues to be an extension of his political activism, using his experiences in both the United States and Mexico to tackle subjects such as stereotypes, immigration, colonialism, and oppression. His images include symbolic elements from pre-Columbian mythology, Western religious iconography, and American popular culture. Chagoya frequently uses humorous quotes and quote bubbles to allow viewers an easier introduction to the complex issues that his art discusses.
Explore more artwork by Enrique Chagoya.
Enrique Chagoya, The Return to Goya's Caprichos: ¿De que mal
Morirá? (Of What Sickness Will He Die?), intaglio
print, 1999, 2000.023.1b.
Enrique Chagoya, The Return to Goya's Caprichos: El Sueño de la
Razón Produce Monstruos (The Sleep of Reason Produces
Monsters), intaglio print, 1999, 2000.023.1e.
Enrique Chagoya, The Return to Goya's Caprichos: Que liene el Coco
(What's Up with Coco?), intaglio print, 1999, 2000.023.1h.