The Nomad Salon is pleased to present Alchemy of Womanhood, an exhibition of new paintings by Patricia Ortiz, on view from October 6 through October 12, 2024, with an opening reception on Saturday, October 5, from 5 pm to 8 pm at the gallery's pop-up space, 48 Chalcot Road, London, UK NW1 8LS. The pop-up will be open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. This is Ortiz's debut solo exhibition in the UK. 

Patricia Ortiz's work is a journey of self-exploration, an alchemical process through which personal experiences of womanhood, motherhood, and mental health are transformed into vivid, universal narratives. In this body of work, Ortiz uses her image to delve into the multiplicity of the female experience, capturing both the emotional intensity and fragility of navigating life as a modern woman. Her paintings occupy a space of quiet transformation—where intimate moments of vulnerability merge with mythological and feminist archetypes to reveal complex truths about identity, power, and the human psyche.

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At the core of Alchemy of Womanhood lies the concept of metamorphosis—Ortiz examines the constant reshaping of self in response to life's challenges. She turns the canvas into a mirror through oil painting, reflecting on mental health struggles, motherhood, and the complexities of feminity in a world that often romanticizes or overlooks these realities. Her mastery of figurative painting—particularly her use of dramatic contrasts between light and shadow—echoes the Renaissance and Baroque influences of Caravaggio and Peter Paul Rubens. Ortiz captures the movement and opulence reminiscent of Rubens, while Caravaggio's chiaroscuro and raw human realism ground her ethereal figures. The influence of 19th-century Realists like William Bouguereau is also evident in her detailed, dynamic depictions of the human form, balancing strength and fragility.

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Ortiz's technical mastery is a sight to behold, particularly in her meticulous use of glazing and grisaille, creating rich layers that lend her figures a near-luminous presence. Against dark, mysterious backdrops, her figures exude both strength and vulnerability, their postures and expressions conveying the weight of mental and physical exhaustion. In works like Mother's Gaze and In the Name of Love, Ortiz presents unflinching depictions of post-birth recovery and maternal anxiety, challenging idealized portrayals of motherhood. These moments invite viewers into an intimate dialogue on the pressures women face, often heightened by societal expectations.

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Ortiz's exploration of the subconscious is a fascinating journey that draws heavily on the work of Dorothea Tanning, particularly Tanning's investigations of feminine energy, dread, and the uncanny. Ortiz also channels feminist artists such as Leonor Fini and Evelyn De Morgan, both of whom subverted traditional depictions of women. De Morgan's attention to drapery and her feminist ideals resonate in Ortiz's own commitment to portraying women's experiences with complexity and dignity. Fini's interest in transformation and sexuality finds expression in Ortiz's representations of women as simultaneously sensual and introspective.

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Through symbolic motifs such as veils, water, and blood, Ortiz visualizes transformation, vulnerability, and renewal. Her figures navigate the space between the personal and the mythological. Works like The Lonely Hunter draw from the witch archetype, embodying feminist rage, empowerment, and the reclamation of identity. Ortiz's paintings address the timeless struggle for self-definition, where personal truths intersect with societal norms. Each piece becomes a form of visual alchemy, turning personal pain, shame, and triumph into collective narratives that resonate beyond the self.

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Patricia Ortiz (b. 1991, Monterrey, Mexico) holds a Master's degree in Art Therapy from Metafora Art Therapy Centre in Barcelona, Spain, and a Bachelor of Arts in Art Therapy from Emmanuel College in Boston, USA, profoundly influencing her artistic approach. In 2023, Ortiz completed the Methods and Techniques of Bouguereau course at The Edinburgh Atelier of Fine Art in Edinburgh, UK, further refining her technical skills. Ortiz's work has been exhibited in Mexico and internationally, with solo exhibitions including her recent show at ETRA Galería in Monterrey, Mexico (2022), and her earlier exhibitions at Amadeus Art Gallery Salon Valencia, Monterrey, Mexico (2016) and Gallery 5 at Emmanuel Art Department in Boston (2013). Her participation in group exhibitions spans various prestigious venues such as the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo MARCO in Monterrey, Mexico, MONAT Gallery in Madrid, Spain, The Nomad Salon, The Brick Lane Gallery in London, UK, and the International Contemporary Brussels Art Fair in Brussels, Belgium.

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Ortiz has been recognized in several competitions, including being a semi-finalist in the 16th ARC Salon Competition in New Jersey (2022) and a finalist in the Boynes Emerging Artist Award in Melbourne, Australia (2021). Most recently, Ortiz received further recognition when the England Arts Council endorsed her as a Global Talent in Arts and Culture. Her work has been featured in prominent publications such as British Vogue and Fine Art Connoisseur, solidifying her presence in the art world. Ortiz's works are part of private collections in Mexico, Guatemala, the USA, the UK, Canada, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, marking her as a rising force in contemporary art and a name to watch in the art world.

xx Yesenia (Jenny) Munoz​​​​​​