My iconography research brings me to study Gomez Peña's work. During his performances, he dresses up as a new character using boots, suits, hats, coats, and headdresses. He holds many objects., action figures, Colt 45 guns, plastic hens, grapes, and Mexican saints. These objects evoque power and the original rituals they were used for.
Gomez Peña uses in his performances innumerable objects of power, popular art, and native American amulets. These objects carry iconography, rituals, and meaning.
Warrior for Gringosgroika is a book that contains a series of performances, photos, and descriptions. In the performance, 1992-Two Undiscovered Ameriindians Visit Spain. Gomez Penna and his partner travel to Madrid, Spain, and place themselves in a giant cage in downtown area.
In this video, Gomez Peña describes how he uses his clothes and objects to become a protagonist, character. He enjoys impersonating Texan Chicanos, Indians, activists, cowboys, redneck policemen, Oaxaca rebels-terrorists, and bigots.
Codex Spangliensis is a "Catalogue Raisonne" of an artist's book. The original accordion book was scanned and printed. It's a replica of the artist's book. All images are collages mimicking a Maya codex book. 200AC. The iconography in all illustrations is a protest against imperialism, colonization, and indoctrination. Using parody, blasphemy parody Gomex Peña satirizes the capitalist imperialist United States.
