The Redemption of Enrique Chagoya: A Controversial Artist

THE DENVER POST
By Kyle MacMillan

Enrique Chagoya's "Resurrection" hangs in Resurrection Fellowship Church.

COLORADO - Out of a clash of art and belief rises a vision of healing and understanding. In October, just days after [Enrique] Chagoya's work was ripped from its frame and destroyed, an evangelical Loveland church, Resurrection Fellowship, invited the artist to paint a "loving image" of Christ. He agreed, refusing to accept any payment. The finished 80-by-60-inch canvas, "Resurrection," was delivered in May and placed on view earlier this month in the west foyer of the church's vast, warehouse-like building. It is a happy ending to an ugly story, one which could happen only when two people — Chagoya and senior pastor Jonathan Wiggins — set aside stereotypes and mistrust and agreed to reach out and listen to each other. "Dialogue is for me the best way to go into resolving conflicts," Chagoya said. "And in this particular experience, it ended up in a really beautiful way, with a painting that I am very happy with and the congregation is very happy with — a really healing experience for everybody." [link]