Painting, Mixed Media and Monotypes 

Over the past three decades, my work has focused on the images of the Chicano experience. Through my work, I offer a multifaceted view that incorporates the history, traditions, and culture of Chicanos. In the postmodern age, my visual language speaks to the issues of identity, shifting demographics, and cultural hybridity that draws from pop culture and seeks to present truth at a more local, personal level.
I spiritually, emotionally, and physically live among the clash of two cultures-one Mexican and one American. This issue is my daily problem. I must cross a border-not the Mexican and U.S border created for the separation of two nation states, but the border between two cultures. Here in Denver, the northern frontier of Aztlan, the northern outpost of Latin American, lays my journey from south to north. I must deal with a dominant culture whose history is from east to west. On my journey, I must think from: Spanish to English, community to capitalism, and family to individuality and back again. My journey is not unique as many Chicanos also go through this clash of cultures.

    Slide show of acrylic paintings, mixed media and monotypes:

The artist retains copyright to the images displayed on this Web site. They may be used for non-commercial purposes if credit is given to the artist. For commercial purposes, please contact Tony Ortega for permission to reproduce, publicly display, copy, distribute or otherwise use such images.