Mexican-American artist Anna Ortiz draws from her rich cultural background in her artworks, shaped by her experiences in Guadalajara and Worcester. For her exhibition 'Prophecy Here and Gone' at Mindy Solomon Gallery, Ortiz's vibrant paintings feature surreal landscapes that echo Aztec histories, exploring themes of loss and unfulfilled destinies. Key motifs include pairing, reflections, and elements tied to her ancestry, allowing her to navigate the relationship between civilization, landscape, and identity.
For Anna Ortiz, the borderlands are a rich source for the uncanny. The Mexican-American artist was raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, but visited her family in Guadalajara often. There, she was immersed in her ancestral landscape and introduced to her family's history as artists.
For her upcoming solo exhibition at Mindy Solomon Gallery, Ortiz conjures a surreal borderland that suspends time. Awash in saturated color palettes of pink, blue, and green, the paintings reference Aztec histories and how their influence continues to shape the landscape.
Ortiz tells Colossal that she frequently paints pairs as a way to consider unfulfilled destinies and paths not chosen, a reflection of her exploration of loss and cultural identity.
Interested in the ways civilization and the landscape interact and shape one another, Ortiz shares that 'loss is a central theme...I was once very close to my Mexican heritage.'
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