An Homage to the Mystique: a solo exhibition by Alfred Ortega

Noted for the bold use of color, Ortega’s paintings and oil prints emanate a primal energy, oftentimes unseen in other contemporary work. His prominent, large canvasses reveal a dynamic world populated with vibrant forms and figures barely contained within their frames. Layers upon layers, Ortega’s current work represents a lengthy time of discovery and practice in which the artist experiments with the placement, texture, opacity and pigment saturation. “This process of discovery lends itself to the work in that, upon completion, the reality of the painting stands on its own,” says Ortega. In contrast, the sculpture work is initially found wood and with little alteration, then carved and patinaed to represent a simplicity in beauty of form.

Born in Philadelphia, Alfred Ortega studied painting and sculpture at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Ortega’s work is currently represented by the Atlantic Gallery, Nantucket MA, Ligne Roset, New York and Borelli’s Chestnut Hill Gallery, Philadelphia. Ortega has exhibited at the Woodmere Museum and Twenty-Two Gallery in Philadelphia. The artist’s work is represented in the permanent collection of the Pennsylvania State Museum and in private collections.

The artist will join the Chestnut Hill Gallery for an opening reception on May 7th, from 6 to 8 pm. All works will be on display and for sale from May 4th and May 27th.