CWU Sarah Spurgeon Gallery to Display El Zodíaco Familiar Exhibit

Central Washington University's Sarah Spurgeon Gallery will host a collaborative exhibition organized by ceramic artist and sculptor George Rodriguez from November 4 to December 4. For the exhibit titled El Zodíaco Familiar, Rodriguez invited 13 Mexican and ChicanX/Chicane artists to respond to his animal sculptures through the forms, tools, and aesthetics of their own mediums and styles.

Iguana sculpture from the El Zodiaco Familiar exhibit

A lecture and opening reception will take place Thursday, November 4. Rodriguez will give an in-person address from 4 to 5 p.m. in the SURC Theatre (Room 210), followed by a reception in the Sarah Spurgeon Gallery from 5 to 7 p.m.

In reference to its origins in Chinese folklore, Rodriguez has reimagined Chinese zodiac animals as creatures of Mexican origin, bridging cultures and creating new narratives. Each collaborating artist's sculpture-the zodiac animal of their birth year-is enhanced with their personal perspective and a feeling of celebration. The participating artists include Javier Barboza, Alejandra Carrillo-Estrada, Eric J. Garcia, Jon Gómez, Carolina Jiménez, Gabriel Marquez, Gustavo Martinez, Marilyn Montufar, Gabriela Ramírez Michel, Yosimar Reyes, Moises Salazar, Samirah Steinmeyer, and Christie Tirado.

Also on display will be several of Rodriguez's guardian figures that demonstrate the artist's ongoing exploration of community, culture, identity, and ornamentation.

Born and raised in the border city of El Paso, Texas, Rodriguez creates humorous, decorative ceramic sculptures addressing his identity and community. He was the first in his family to finish college, receiving a BFA in ceramics from the University of Texas El Paso before earning an MFA from the University of Washington. Rodriguez is represented by Foster/White Gallery in Seattle and is the artist in residence at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia.

Sarah Spurgeon Gallery is located in Randall Hall on Dean Nicholson Boulevard and is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. The gallery will be closed November 11 and November 24-27 for university holidays. Please note that CWU safety protocols will be in place, including the use of face coverings.

About Central Washington University: Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, Washington, and is the most diverse higher education institution in the state. CWU has been honored with the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award in seven of the last eight years.

Media Contact: Rune Torgersen, Department of Public Affairs, rune.torgersen@cwu.edu.