Samuel Cortez

Bio

My work is a manifestation of emotions concerning personal, social, and political issues that influence the way I perceive life. I manifest my emotions towards these issues in a spontaneous way, through the exploration and interaction with different mediums. I often use temporary materials such as dirt, paper, plaster and clay slip. These materials assist me in imprinting the work of my hands, the struggle, and the trace of my creative process.

I think of my art as “a total work of art” which I define as the creation of art through informe. This refers to the process without a process, which happens when spontaneity expresses itself and critical thinking banishes. Creating “a total work of art” refers to the creation by means of complete intuition; a creation by which I express my feelings without consciously controlling the outcome. In “a total work of art”, more than an object, there is an expression; it is a total manifestation of thoughts and feelings.

My current work reflects my interests in my hometown, my culture, and my roots. I am currently working on a series titled “Caminos Diferentes / Different Paths”, a project that raises awareness about different paths in life, starting with my personal experience but moving towards sharing other people’s experiences. My work has an emphasis on raising awareness on how social stratification dictates how we live and perceive life. Dirt is currently my main medium. Dirt has become an icon that alludes to low social economic status.

Artist Statement

Selected Work

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