Cuban-born New York artist Manuel Pardo will exhibit 20 new works at Cal State Fullerton’s Main Art Gallery in an exhibition titled Metaplasmic: Recent Drawings and Paintings by Manuel Pardo. In addition, there will be a continuous viewing of a video documenting the artist's murals at the JFK Airport in New York City.

The flat, highly-stylized paintings and drawings that make up this exhibition are exquisite variations on a single subject: the same carefully-posed and idealized woman appears over and over with ever-changing elaborate hairdos, high-fashion patterned wardrobes, stiletto heels, large dangly earrings and dainty handbags. The color palette for the paintings is reminiscent of the 1950s. "Technicolor—that's the tint of the times I grew up in," explains Pardo.

In these "portraits" the artist unabashedly celebrates his mother (a medical professional who, after immigrating to the US from Cuba, worked in a factory to support her children). The portraits are also about being gay and transforming clichés into the iconography of his art. "All his works are concerned with deconstructing or breaking down stereotypes and prejudices." (Gerard A. Goodrow, director of contemporary art, Christie's International, London)

Pardo has had numerous solo exhibitions and his work has been exhibited widely in the United States, Europe and Mexico. Originally scheduled for Fall 2001, this exhibit was delayed as Pardo’s studio was evacuated due to its proximity to the World Trade Center.

A 48-page catalogue documenting this exhibition will be available mid-February.