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Andrew Ortiz believes that digital imaging is a sophisticated and expressive collage tool that is ideally suited for merging original and appropriated photographs. His imaginative images present a provocative investigation of his Mexican heritage and identity, and beautifully symbolize spiritual power, light, and energy. In some of his collages, the energy is primal and shamanistic, and in others, the light and symbols resemble Roman Catholic of Byzantine icons. "I use photographs of corn, meso-American art and architecture, along with pre-Colombian and Christian iconography to illustrate how I am affected and enriched by my heritage. Ephemera (transient artifacts) such as my parents' green cards and photographs of myself and other family members provide autobiographical elements... While many contemporary artists are known for appropriating western imagery, I digitally scan fragments of works by great Mexican masters such as Diego Rivera, Orozco, Siquieros, and Manuel Alvarez Bravo," says Andrew. The four images in our collection effectively contrast the physical world's hard and sharp objects with the light, energy, auras, and angels of the spiritual realm. Thorn includes an illuminated Virgin of Guadeloupe in the background. Her translucent image is stained with blood and mutilated with piercing wounds and the central foreground figure includes a massive rock-like heart encircled by thorns. Andrew interprets, "In this image, I am alluding to the interaction between the Spanish Conquistador's powerful religious symbols that were superimposed onto traditional symbols of indigenous peoples... established deities of meso-American creation myths are also combined with the symbols of Christianity." These digital images are intensely personal and culturally specific, the symbols and ideas are universal. "Many have related to this work by sharing experiences, stories and interpretations from their own lives, because the images and symbols combine elements of religion and art history with broader sociological and cultural backgrounds, and with contemporary art trends," notes Ortiz. Andrew, currently an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Texas, Arlington, has also taught at the Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY College Brockport, Monroe Community College, and Visual Studies Workshop - all in the Rochester NY area. He received his MFA from the Visual Studies Workshop, Rochester, NY and an MA from Humbolt State College, Arcata, CA. Recent accomplishments include the "New Photography Award" and solo exhibition at En Foco Inc. in New York City and publishing in Nueva Luz, a NYC photography journal. Recent international exhibitions include Salvajes, Locos, Ninos y Poetas in Mexico, and the Binational Art Exhibit in Paraguay. His U.S. exhibitions include Within Sight, Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, TX; The Power of Place: Contemporary Chicano Artists, Fine Silver Gallery, San Antonio, TX; Open and Closed, Ball State University, Boise, ID; and El Espejo; Arte Latino, ArtScan Gallery, Houston TX. The Houston Center for Photography recently received an NEA grant to present his first major solo exhibition. |
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