Manuel Pardo: Stardust

In Manuel Pardo’s “Stardust” collection, currently on display at Cal State Fullerton’s Begovich Gallery (making its West Coast debut), the Cuban artist pays tribute to his mother, Gladys. Pardo was sent as a child to the U.S. as part of Operation Pedro Pan, the largest evacuation of children in the history of this hemisphere; he says his mother would work 16-hour days to provide for her family. Here, he gives Gladys the luxuries she did without: elaborate hairstyles, exquisite jewelry, high-fashion dresses and luxurious surroundings. The style is flat, cartoonish and immersed in color—and by the looks of it, Gladys was a knockout on the scale of Sophia Loren. Along with the “Stardust” collection are stilettos, dresses and earrings, all designed by Pardo and custom-made for the exhibit.

Mondays-Thursdays, Saturdays. Starts: April 9. Continues through May 12, 2011

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