R OB ERTO ORT IZ
R
oberto Ortiz notices the beauty and detail in even the most basic objects, finding what people don’t notice, and then through his paintings, allows us to see this hidden visual world. Inspired by artists such as Wayne Thiebaud,
Roberto’s work is colorful and whimsical, but also thought-provoking. For the past three years, he has focused on capturing the chairs at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Roberto worked at the concert hall, and every night, he would notice the chairs: their geometric pattern, their curved shape, and their colors all captured his interest. He first began sketching the chairs, then moved on to painting—his favorite medium because of the feeling, texture, and colors that acrylic paint provides. He says working at the Concert Hall allowed him to get a behind the scenes look, and the opportunity to study and appreciate the details inside the building, while most just marvel at the exterior. His chairs appear to be larger than life, each with a different feel, some more abstract and geometric while some are more realistic. Roberto says there is something almost spiritual about the chairs— they remind him of people, in the sense that they have arms and legs, but are also built specifically for humans. As he says, “Everything around us is built for us, everything is meant for humans and someone designed all of it for our own purpose.” But at the same time, all of these objects have their own life and individuality. Roberto says his favorite piece is Juntos, two chairs next to each other, because, according to Roberto, “not being alone is beautiful.” L.J.
Roberto Ortiz, Juntos, Acrylic on canvas, 2017 50 - The Art Division Exhibition & Interviews
The Art Division Exhibition & Interviews - 51