COL is pleased to announce a new exhibition of works by Francisco Moreno (b. 1986) opening September 18th. Through painting, Moreno engages with themes of identity, myth-making, and historical narrative. In his recent work, a particularly playful yet symbolically charged motif has emerged: the squirrel. These recurring figures bring both humor and conceptual complexity to his compositions.
Far from being merely whimsical, Moreno’s squirrels operate as trickster figures—archetypes common in mythological and folkloric traditions. Tricksters destabilize dominant narratives, challenge hierarchies, and open space for reinterpretation. By inserting squirrels—creatures known for their erratic energy, cleverness, and adaptability—Moreno brings a layered sense of disruption to his otherwise ordered scenes.
At times, the squirrels appear as irreverent intruders in grand historical or religious tableaux; in others, they act as silent witnesses to moments of power and ritual. Their presence interrupts the otherwise solemn tone of Moreno’s visual language, offering a sly, self-aware commentary. In this way, the squirrels can also be read as avatars for the artist himself—curious, subversive, and unwilling to fully assimilate into dominant historical or cultural frameworks. This speaks directly to Moreno’s larger inquiry into fractured identity and inherited narrative.
Although squirrels are not traditional symbols in Mexican iconography, their appearance here creates an unexpected bridge between American suburban familiarity and the ornate visual language of Mexican colonial art. This tension reflects Moreno’s bicultural experience and the hybrid nature of his practice—positioning his work at the intersection of classical art history and contemporary cultural life.
Recent Press:
Patron Magazine: Angels, Squirrels, & Cosmic Imaginings–Welcome to Francisco Moreno’s baroque sci-fi dream
