The "inherent dignity" of a human being, and especially those who are poor and oppressed, is the theme of a Denver-area Chicano muralist whose work will be exhibited at the University of Northern Colorado through the end of November.

This is not Leo Tanguma's first appearance at UNC. The 79-year-old Tanguma has been known at UNC for decades — including through a large mural celebrating the life of former university professor Martin Candelaria, the first Hispanic professor at the university, in the on-campus hall that bears his name.

The exhibit of Tanguma's work, though, marks the first time the university's Campus Commons Gallery has dedicated space to a Chicano artist. Tanguma, with family roots in Mexico, grew up in Beeville, Texas. He began sketching as a child, and he majored in art at Texas Southern University, according to Taguma's website.

"I'm honored," Tanguma said of the distinction of being the first Chicano to have an exhibit dedicated to his work at UNC. "I"m very happy about it."

The exhibition, titled "Leo Tanguma: Chicano Muralist," is free and will be open in the Campus Commons Gallery through Nov. 30. Tanguma is one of the co-curators of the exhibit along with his wife, Jeanne, UNC Chicana/o and Latinx Studies associate professor Jonathan Alcantar and Campus Commons Gallery director John Lake in the school of art and design.

Approximately 320 people attended the opening of the exhibit earlier this month. One hundred students from the Denver area are scheduled to visit the exhibit in mid-October.

Alcantar said an exhibit in galleries and museum dedicated to a Chicana/o or Latinx artist and about the culture, there is a  fundamental and empowering meaning for others in the community.

"When we see ourselves reflected in art, our stories are validated," Alcantar said. "Bring our stories to these spaces and we're bringing visibility. These spaces non traditionally have been available to these communities. With this exhibit, you open the doors to see ourselves reflected in Colorado and Weld County."

Tanguma will participate in a presentation and conversation on his work over the last 40 years beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 30) in the multi-purpose room next to the gallery in the Campus Commons.

"I try to paint the struggle for human liberation," Tanguma said.

The Thursday event will include discussion on Tanguma's murals on display at Denver International Airport. One is on world peace and the other is on nurturing the environment.

In addition to the mural in Candelaria Hall, Tanguma also did past work in Greeley at the Platte Valley Youth Services and Billie Martinez Elementary School. He is currently working on a book on his life with Jeanne.

Tanguma is now also considering his next mural project after a lengthy hiatus. Tanguma said he was inspired to find another idea after working with two groups of UNC students to create a piece "to reflect the Mexican-American and Chicana/o experience," according to Alcantar.

The students are in the Chicana/o and Latinx Studies program and in programing focused on fine arts and visual arts.

"They seem to have a footing, and I'm so pleased to see their attitude and familiarity with Chicano history and that inspires me," Tanguma added. "It's woken me up to what I used to do."

The 29 pieces in the exhibit were produced by Tanguma from the 1970s to today, according to the gallery's list of artworks. There are at least two Tanguma favorites in the exhibit.

One is a sculptural mural, a concept Tanguma developed decades ago when murals on walls were painted over or defaced. The sculptural mural is from 1992 and is titled "Too Long in Darkness, Reach for Light." The work portrays "the pain and suffering of mental illness on one side and the rehabilitation and healing on the other side."

Tanguma said he started the work after it was commissioned by Denver-based nonprofit Bayuad Enterprises that helps individuals with disabilities and other hurdles engage in the workforce.

The other selection Tanguma pointed to as significant in the UNC show is a large mural that might be Tanguma's best known work.  "Rebirth of Our Nationality" was 240-feet wide and 18-feet tall when it was done on in the early 1970s the exterior wall of the Continental Can Company building in Houston, Texas. It was repainted by a Houston artist in consultation with Tanguma in 2018.

Tanguma described the work as an emergence of a new generation: from the past to the present.

"The Mexican-American community moving to the center to rediscover its identity," Tanguma said.