People / Spotlight on achievers

Renowned artist Guillermo Gomez-Pena will speak May 17 on the role of the artist in the 21st century.

Gomez-Pena’s appearance is in connection with the Fullerton Museum Center’s exhibit “Composite Persona,” which includes his work.

The Mexico native uses his art and writing to reveal the labyrinths of identity and the precipices of nationality, museum curators said.

Gomez-Pena’s work employs a variety of media, including performing art, videos, audio art, poetry and journalism.

He has received numerous awards, including the Prix de la Parole at the 1989 International Theatre of the Americas and the 1989 Bessie Award in New York. He was the first Latino artist to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, in 1991. In 1995, he was included in “Utne Reader’s List of 100 Visionaries.”

“Composite Persona” runs through May 25.

Other artists included are Gwen Akin, Allan Ludwig, Dewoud Bey, Lordan Bunch, Nancy Burson, Eugenio Castro, Clegg, Guttmann, Keith Cottingham, Lyle Aston Harris, Susan Hauptman, Gavin Lee, Jin Lee, Scott Lifshutz, Lorraine O’Grady and Catherine Opie.

The museum is at 301 N. Pomona Ave. Admission to Gomez-Pena’s 7:30 p.m. talk May 17 will be $5 for students and center members, and $6 for the general public.

Information: (714) 738-5325.