Ana Mendieta was born in Havana, Cuba in the year 1948. Mendieta was a performance artist also known for her photography. A famous series by the artist included replicating her silhouette in various locations. This series is called the “earth-body” series. Mendieta also produced performance art and sculpture.
Below an example of Ana Mendieta’s work with her silhouette:
In order to escape Cuba, she and a sister were sent to the States. Mendieta was nine years old at the time.
Some of Mendieta’s themes were feminism, life, death, and her connection to the planet earth. The main series is the silhouetta series where the artist used her own body covered in mud, sand, grass, and even blood. She would then shoot photographs of these works and sold these.
In some works she even used fire as a medium and recorded the images on film.
For her collegiate education Mendieta attended the University of Iowa earning both a bachelors and master’s degree. A major influence during these times was Hans Breder. Below some works by Hans Breder.
Sadly Ana Mendieta died from a fall in 1985 from her 34th story floor apartment in New York City. Her husband was tried and acquitted of murdering his wife. The court said it was either an accident or a suicide. Mendieta was only 36 years old. Her husband was also an artist and below an example of his style, his name is Carl Andre.
One of the last series the work’s by the artist were photo etchings of some cave sculptures the artist made in her native of Cuba.
In this clip we visit a gallery show featuring Ana Mendieta.
Price range information; Works range from $3,000 to $170,000.
Below an example of the artist working with blood. Blood was important in the performing of certain religious rituals for Mendieta.
D
Diattaart Blog 