RIVERSIDE, CA.- UCR Sweeney Art Gallery presents The Signs Pile Up - Paintings by Pedro Álvarez, on view through March 29, 2008. Cuban painter Pedro Álvarez (1967-2004) rose to prominence during Cuba's Special Period, which was an extended period of economic crisis that began in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. His work not only addresses specific issues important to Cubans and those interested in that work and place; it also engages global concerns including colonialism and ways in which we perpetuate colonialism without even being aware of it. Much of his work utilized a juxtaposition of pop culture references, such as images from The Simpsons television series, against traditional Cuban images, such as 19th century peasants and troubadours, in order to explore cross-cultural influences of the United States and Cuba. Bi-lingual catalogue with essays by Tyler Stallings and Kevin Power. Organized by UCR Sweeney Art Gallery, and curated by Sweeney Art Gallery Director, Tyler Stallings.