El Leonejo Que Puede
Nicolás González
Soft Pastel on Paper
44 x 33 in
2020
Inspired by the vivid and fantastical imagery of Mexican alebrijes, González re-imagines the concept of the Chimera as a deeply personal self-portrait. Rather than drawing solely from myth or folklore, he crafts a symbolic creature that reflects the many facets of his identity. At its core, this alebrije is composed of three animals—each chosen with intention and resonance. The rabbit, serene and observant, represents his inner calm and contemplative nature. The deer, quiet and gentle, suggests a subtle grace, humility, and an instinct for survival in fragile environments. And the lion, noble and bold, speaks to his courage in the face of adversity and his enduring sense of strength. Together, these elements do not merely coexist—they harmonize, forming a visual metaphor for a self in constant dialogue, transformation, and resilience. Through this work, González not only honors the tradition of alebrijes but reclaims it as a living language of identity, introspection, and imaginative reinvention.
Nicolás González
Soft Pastel on Paper
44 x 33 in
2020
Inspired by the vivid and fantastical imagery of Mexican alebrijes, González re-imagines the concept of the Chimera as a deeply personal self-portrait. Rather than drawing solely from myth or folklore, he crafts a symbolic creature that reflects the many facets of his identity. At its core, this alebrije is composed of three animals—each chosen with intention and resonance. The rabbit, serene and observant, represents his inner calm and contemplative nature. The deer, quiet and gentle, suggests a subtle grace, humility, and an instinct for survival in fragile environments. And the lion, noble and bold, speaks to his courage in the face of adversity and his enduring sense of strength. Together, these elements do not merely coexist—they harmonize, forming a visual metaphor for a self in constant dialogue, transformation, and resilience. Through this work, González not only honors the tradition of alebrijes but reclaims it as a living language of identity, introspection, and imaginative reinvention.
Nicolás González
Soft Pastel on Paper
44 x 33 in
2020
Inspired by the vivid and fantastical imagery of Mexican alebrijes, González re-imagines the concept of the Chimera as a deeply personal self-portrait. Rather than drawing solely from myth or folklore, he crafts a symbolic creature that reflects the many facets of his identity. At its core, this alebrije is composed of three animals—each chosen with intention and resonance. The rabbit, serene and observant, represents his inner calm and contemplative nature. The deer, quiet and gentle, suggests a subtle grace, humility, and an instinct for survival in fragile environments. And the lion, noble and bold, speaks to his courage in the face of adversity and his enduring sense of strength. Together, these elements do not merely coexist—they harmonize, forming a visual metaphor for a self in constant dialogue, transformation, and resilience. Through this work, González not only honors the tradition of alebrijes but reclaims it as a living language of identity, introspection, and imaginative reinvention.