Anna Ortiz

Inspired by the archaeology of Mesoamerican figures and the landscapes of Mexico, Anna Ortiz’ work is a personal investigation of her own Mexican-American identity. With a childhood spent between both countries, Ortiz’ work reflects the dislocation and ambiguity that she feels from both her nationalities. Ortiz’ sociopsychological landscapes are defined by a duality: the statuary and plants that she depicts exist at the border between memory and imagination, reflecting both ancient Aztec and Mayan mythologies, as well as contemporary and personal events.

Weaving together invented spaces with references to actual places, Ortiz playfully engages with the uncanny, depicting an invented world which exists just slightly out of reach. The artist’s heightened colour palette and spatial compression invite a consideration of the realities we create for ourselves.

Ortiz was born in Massachusetts, United States, graduating with a BA/BFA in Painting from Tufts University and SMFA Boston, before completing an MFA at Tyler School of Art in 2005. Her work has exhibited extensively in the United States, and has been featured in several publications, including Artforum and Art Maze Magazine. She lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.