If you’ve visited Red Iguana 1 (affectionately known as the “OG”) or Red Iguana 2, you’ve likely seen the vast collection of locally created artwork collected by Red Iguana owners Lucy Cardenas and Bill Coker. The works include paintings, watercolors, stained glass windows, photos, mosaics, sculpted plaques, and hand-carved 3-D reliefs. Maybe you’ve seen the local art in Red Iguana, but have you seen Red Iguana in local art?
Since Red Iguana’s original location is a landmark that’s now synonymous with Salt Lake City, over the past three decades, the location’s iconic yellow and red brick building has been featured in dozens of paintings. You’ll also find artwork that honors Red Iguana’s founder Maria Cardenas, and even pop culture depictions of our beloved Xochitonal, the restaurant’s namesake.
There’s No Place Like SLC
Matt Monsoon’s “Ocean Recessions Mountain Processions,” is a triptych (a panel painting divided into three sections) displayed in Red Iguana 2. Monsoon says the painting was created over a two-year period, and is a meditation on the meaning of “home.” Monsoon grew up in overseas locales—Japan, the UK, Germany, and the Philippines—but spent summers with extended family in Salt Lake. While he always called Utah home, it wasn’t until he came to live in Salt Lake City full-time in his twenties that he explored the idea of putting down roots in Utah permanently.
This piece depicts his love for the city as well as influences from his youth living abroad. “It also speaks to the idea of growing and maturing over time in a city that is very much doing the same thing,” Monsoon says.
The fun easter egg that some people may overlook in the piece, is the depiction of Red Iguana (the “OG”) on North Temple. The next time you visit Red Iguana 2, see if you can find it in this vibrant painting by Matt Monsoon.
Red Iguana’s Maria Cardenas Honored in a Mural of Rose Park’s Influential Women
If you visit Rose Park Community Garden, you can find a beautiful mural painted by local artist Bill Louis that honors eight of Rose Park’s influential women. Among those depicted is Maria Cardenas (1924-2002), a pioneering Latina entrepreneur and founder of Red Iguana. Maria was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Manuel and Luz Corral Quinonez. She was a natural-born artist from a young age and became very involved in the art scene.
The other eight influential women shown in the mural include Cencira Te’p, Karina Lugo-Villalba, Maria Garciaz, Sylvia Abalos, Bobby Florez, Cristina Caputo, and Nettie Gregory.
The mural was commissioned by Better Days 2020, a Utah nonprofit focused on women’s history, with financial support from the Utah Historical Society and the Utah Division of Arts & Museums. The mural reminds viewers of the women who continue to shape Salt Lake City’s westside.
Tiffany Greene, Education and Community Outreach Director for Better Days 2020, commented about the mural:
“It’s a testament to the important role that women have played in Salt Lake City’s west side communities and the role that they still play today…we build on the women who came before us. They provide inspiration and mentorship so that we can continue to serve our communities and meet their needs.”
Utah artist Bill Louis is well known for the dozens of colorful murals and paintings that adorn local landmarks and businesses. If you’d like to see the mural for yourself, you can visit Rose Park Community Garden at 871 N Cornell Street in Salt Lake City.
Red Iguana From Across The Street
This painting shows Red Iguana’s “OG” location from the vantage point of the south side of North Temple looking north. Not knowing the official name of this painting, we’ve always just called it “Red Iguana From Across The Street.”
Not only is the official name of the piece unknown, so too is the artist. The signature in the corner simply reads, “JWG.” If you happen to know who “JWG” is, drop us a note and let us know so we can give them proper credit for this really fun tribute to Red Iguana. You can find this piece hanging in Red Iguana 2’s South Temple location.
There’s So Much More to See
Want to see more fun examples of Red Iguana in art? Visit Red Iguana 1 (the “OG”) or Red Iguana 2 and explore our full collection. And if you find more examples of Red Iguana in pop culture or in art pieces we haven’t collected yet, we’d love to hear about it!
