Selections of drawings and prints by Gilbert “Magu” Luján that demonstrate the artist's evolving ideas on the historic, social, and conceptual significance of the landscapes of the Americas.
Trailing Los Antepasados (2000) by Gilbert “Magu” LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
Pictures here is the background of the installation "Trailing Los Antepasados". The painting functions as a kind of backdrop for a three dimensional altar-like setup.
Pintando in the Desert (1988) by Gilbert "Magu" LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
In this drawing from 1989, Luján depicts an anthropomorphic dog representative of an artist, literally creating the desert landscape that is the brick and mortar of Magulandia.
El Dogtown (1988) by Gilbert "Magu" LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
In this drawing from 1988, elements of Luján's formative and conceptual concepts converge: anthropomorphism, graffiti, mythic elements of Magulandia and Mesoamerican architecture.
Stick Dog Jumps the Seaweed (1984) by Gilbert "Magu" LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
This produced by Luján for as a proposal for the city of Santa Monica, California, the artist re-imagined one of his iconic "stick dog" characters jumping across the equally iconic Santa Monica beach.
untitled (pyramid structure) by Gilbert “Magu” LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
This untitled study for a pyramid structure is one of produced by Luján, developed alongside anthropomorphic animals, lowriders, and Mesoamerican glyphs that filled Magulandia.
untitled by Gilbert “Magu” LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
The flaming heart situated at the horizon of this untitled drawing which is characteristic of the geographic and affective symbolism that characterized the artist's work.
untitled by Gilbert “Magu” LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
Mesoamerican pyramids are a common motif throughout Luján's work. This untitled drawing combinines pre-Colonial architecture with the concept and symbolism of "Magulandia".
untitled by Gilbert “Magu” LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
Scholar Karen Mary Davalos proposes that Luján’s dog pyramids and Kachina structures are merely contemporary technological developments, not “neoindigenous” designs or appropriations of the past."
untitled by Gilbert “Magu” LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
This untitled drawing of Mesocamerican architecture is common in Luján's rich and expansive blueprint of Magulandia, where ancient wisdom is infused into the present.
untitled (study for adobe structure) by Gilbert “Magu” LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
Adobe is a common word, material, and symbolic signifier throughout Luján's work. It plays a major role in the foundation of the concept of Magulandia.
untitled (study for adobe structure) by Gilbert “Magu” LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
Just as anthropomorphic animals play a major role in Luján's interdisciplinary body of work, architecture also takes on human characteristics in the artist's drawings and paintings.
Galeria Otro Vez by Gilbert "Magu" LujánUniversity Art Galleries, University of California, Irvine
In this proposal for Galeria Otra Vez, Luján envisioned an immersive environment encompassing all aspects of "Magulandia", including anthropomorphic animals, native plants, and Mesoamerican glyphs.
All images courtesy and copyright The Estate of Gilbert "Magu" Luján, unless otherwise noted.
