Anna Ortiz's 'Shapeshifter' Explores Borderlands at Chart Gallery
Anna Ortiz's "Shapeshifter" exhibition is currently showcased at Chart Gallery in Tribeca, running until October 31. This collection delves into themes of borderlands and the disintegration of time and space, influenced by her Mexican-American background. Ortiz employs vivid colors to illustrate jungle scenes, incorporating elements such as a volatile volcano, a dual moon, and reflective pools, hinting at a space where multiple realities coexist. The jaguar, recognized as a nagual in Mesoamerican mythology, represents change and acts as a spiritual mentor. Ortiz's art aligns with feminist author Gloria Anzaldúa's reflections on mixed identity, particularly from her 1992 essay "The New Mestiza Nation." Featured works include "Inundada," "Jaguar Reflejado," and "Un Eclipse en Doble," with additional pieces accessible via her website and Instagram.
Key facts
- Anna Ortiz's exhibition "Shapeshifter" is on view through October 31 at Chart Gallery in Tribeca.
- The show expands on Ortiz's interest in the borderlands and what happens when time and space collapse.
- Ortiz draws on her Mexican-American heritage and renders remote landscapes through limited yet vibrant palettes.
- She paints jungle terrain in shades of blues, greens, and pinks, emphasizing a fantastic world.
- Recurring motifs include an explosive volcano, double moon, and reflective pools of water.
- In Mesoamerican folklore, the jaguar is a prominent nagual, a being with the power to morph into an animal.
- Ortiz's pieces are visual pairings to the work of feminist writer Gloria Anzaldúa, particularly her 1992 essay "The New Mestiza Nation."
- The exhibition includes works such as "Inundada," "Jaguar Reflejado," "Espejo Obsidiana," "El Corredor," "Floracion," "Las Garzas," "Equilibrium," and "Un Eclipse en Doble."
Entities
Artists
- Anna Ortiz
- Gloria Anzaldúa
Institutions
- Chart Gallery
- Colossal
Locations
- Tribeca
- United States