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Have you ever looked at a work of art and wondered what was going through the artist’s mind when he created it? The works of Jorge Santos will keep you busy for a week. “Unknown Realities,” his latest display, is featured at MRL Fine Art in Long Beach.

Although he focused primarily on pencil drawings, Santos has recently begun to paint with oils and has made significant accomplishments in the field of lithography. His works are said to be very powerful and complex . . . comparable to the moods of Salvador Dali and M.C. Escher. Santos is bringing surrealism to life in the ‘90s.

Santos was born in Lunada, Angola, in 1959. He was forced to leave Africa in 1975 and fled to Lisbon, Portugal, to avoid violence in Africa.

It was through his passion for drawing that Santos dealt with the emotions stirred by the change. He traveled throughout Europe and northern Africa and returned to Portugal in 1979. Santos later settled in Los Angeles. His works were shown during the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, at the International Art Exhibition.

“Unknown Realities” will be on exhibit through Dec. 15 at the MRL gallery, 4718 E. 2nd St., Long Beach. MRL Fine Art is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, call MRL Fine Art at 439-2108.

Car shoppers and car enthusiasts alike will gather at the Long Beach Convention Center for the sixth annual Long Beach International Auto Show. More than 500 of the new 1991 models will be on display Wednesday through Nov. 25.

The Southland’s first showing of 1991 cars will feature more than 40 major lines, including the much-anticipated Saturn from General Motors. England’s Lotus Elan convertible will make its West Coast debut. Acura will unveil its all-new 1991 Legend sedan. Volvo will present its new 940 series, which replaces the 760 models. Spectators can get behind the wheel of the Dodge Stealth and Mitsubishi 3000 GT.

Special cars will make appearances at the auto show. The Chevrolet Lumina “Days of Thunder” movie race car will be displayed along with the Pontiac concept car, the Banshee.

Lifestyles Promotions will hold a drawing for a new 1991 car. Cadillac will hold a drawing for the use of an Alante for two weeks. There will be an appearance by Hanna-Barbera’s Flintstone characters and the Flintmobile.

Doors will be open from noon to 10 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 25. The convention center is at 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Admission is $5; children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Visitors are welcome to bring cameras. For more information, call 436-3636.