Anna Ortiz Traverses the Multiple Realities of the Borderlands
For Anna Ortiz, the jaguar is a fitting metaphor for entering into a mythic borderland. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Anna Ortiz Traverses the Multiple Realities of the Borderlands appeared first on Colossal .
Anna Ortiz, a Mexican-American artist, utilizes the jaguar as a symbolic representation of her exploration of borderlands in her artwork. Drawing inspiration from Mesoamerican folklore and feminist writer Gloria Anzaldúa, Ortiz's work "Shapeshifter" portrays a mythic borderland where time and space converge, allowing multiple realities to coexist.
In her paintings, Ortiz employs a limited palette of vibrant blues, greens, and pinks, highlighting the fantastical nature of her creations. She focuses on subtle changes in tone and saturation to emphasize the fluidity of the borderland landscape. The recurring motifs of an explosive volcano, double moon, and reflective pools of water further underscore the idea of multiple realities and the inevitability of change.
Anzaldúa's work plays a significant role in shaping Ortiz's artistic practice, particularly her essay "The New Mestiza Nation." The essay discusses the persistence of certain aspects of identity, even when they don't dominate the foreground. For Ortiz, this concept resonates deeply, as it mirrors the shape-shifting nature of her art and the identities she explores.
Shapeshifter can be viewed at Chart Gallery in Tribeca until October 31. To learn more about Ortiz's work, visit her website and Instagram.
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