Vicente Ortiz Cortez

2018

16 x 24 in
Archival print on 100% cotton rag

Framed

www.ortizcortez.com

Artist statement:

Sandía (Watermelon) is part of Vicente's ongoing Arroz con Popote series. Arroz con popote, to eat rice (pudding) with a straw, is Mexican slang used to describe that someone is homosexual, with or without any intention to offend. "He likes arroz con popote." The piece pays homage to his heritage and identity. Considered Mexico's unofficial fruit for its colors that resemble the Mexican flag, watermelons are a frequent motif in works by Mexican artists, including in Frida Kahlo's last painting, Viva la Vida, Watermelons.

Artist bio:

VICENTE ORTIZ CORTEZ is a contemporary Mexican artist. His work addresses themes of sexuality, identity, and anthropocenic anxieties. He exhibits internationally, with a solo show at Museu da Praia in Alagoas, Brazil, group shows at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Czong Institute for Contemporary Art in South Korea, Feldfünf in Berlin, Germany, and awards from the William Way LGBT Community Center in Philadelphia, the Bump'N'Grind Film and Performance Fest in Toronto, Canada, and from Red Line Art Works in Bath, United Kingdom, among others. He serves in the Penn State School of Visual Arts Alumni Board and in the exhibition committees at University City Arts League and Da Vinci Art Alliance. Ortiz Cortez received his BFA from The Pennsylvania State University, and also attended Studio Arts College International (SACI) in Florence, Italy.