A New Chapter for Ron Chidester, aka Chaesdegango, at West Side Books

Chaesdegango was a fixture on the Denver art scene in the '80s. Now the artist, whose real name is Ron Chidester, has a show opening November 5 at West Side Books.

By Westword Staff

November 1, 2017

Image: A wall dedicated to work by Chaesdegango.

A wall dedicated to work by Chaesdegango. Mike Maxwell

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Last month we published a piece by onetime Denverite Mike Maxwell, wondering what had happened to Chaesdegango, an artist who was once a fixture on the local scene. Maxwell had discovered Chaesdegango's work in the early ’80s, colorful acrylic pieces hanging on the walls of the long-gone Muddy Waters coffeehouse "that put me in mind of my favorite moderns of Europe’s 'whimsical school' — Klee, Kandinsky and Miró — but infused with a decidedly contemporary air, à la Keith Haring, say," he recalled.

Maxwell collected many Chaesdegango pieces; a wall of his home in Montezuma County is dedicated to them. But over the few years, he'd lost track of the artist.

Maxwell need wonder no more: The artist, using his given name of Ron Chidester, has a new show, Birdwhistles, opening this weekend at the venerable West Side Books, 3434 West 32nd Avenue. There will be an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 5.

Will the legendary Chaesdegango be there? Stay tuned.

A message from Culture Editor Kristen Fiore: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s vibrant culture and arts scenes.

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