Katie Ruiz The Tide is Coming, 2016. Oil on canvas, 60x48 inches.
1805 Gallery presents Xicana: Katie Ruiz
Artist in Residence: April 15 - May 30, 2019
Exhibition On View: May 30, 2019 - June 22, 2019
Artist Reception: May 30, 2019, 6-9PM
1805 Columbia Street, San Diego, Ca 92101
1805 Gallery is pleased to announce the upcoming Artist in Residence Katie Ruiz. The San Diego based multimedia artist will be working in the gallery from April 15, 2019 through May 30, 2019. On May 30, 2019, from 6-9PM, 1805 Gallery will host an artist reception to celebrate the completion of the residency and the opening of Ruiz’s exhibition Xicana on view from May 30, 2019 through June 22, 2019.
While in residence, Katie Ruiz will create a series of paintings that depict figurative forms engaging with brightly colored geometric shapes and patterns inspired by the Otomi tribes of Central Mexico. Otomi textiles are well known in the Central Valley of Mexico for their intricately embroidered clothing and blankets that depict abstract animals and plants. Identifying herself as a Chicana artist, Ruiz relates her experience growing up in the desert landscape of Arizona to the imagery of the semi-desert origins of the Otomi people. Like the Otomi culture, Ruiz embraces elements of the natural world in her artwork, painting fictional mountain ranges and pathways for coupled figures veiled in decorative blankets. As the Otomi people thrive off the global sales of their vibrant textiles, Ruiz emphasizes the blanket as a significant symbol of unification and celebrates its potential to transcend diverse individuals and cultures.
“Blankets are something we use to keep us warm. We use them to keep us safe, to warm our children, to bury our loved ones. We use them to play, to make tents, and for aesthetic purposes. Blankets are full of stories, history, secrets and special moments. Sharing a blanket is sharing intimacy. My work is about the narrative of that connection.” - Katie Ruiz
Katie Ruiz holds a Masters degree of Fine Art from The New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting & Sculpture in NYC and a Bachelors Degree of Fine Art from Northern Arizona University. Ruiz received the Hohenburg Travel Scholarship in 2017 and Mac Conner Scholarship LCU in 2014.
Contact 1805 Gallery Director Lauren Siry to schedule a private viewing of Xicana :
1805 GALLERY
1805 Gallery is an artist studio and exhibition space in Little Italy that encourages critical conversations, creative thinking, community growth and development through exhibitions and artist residencies. In support of a sustainable cultural network, the gallery extends programming to off site locations establishing partnerships with local organizations. 1805 Gallery Director Lauren Siry aims to create opportunities for artists and curators to advance their art practice while producing exciting experiences and events for collectors to acquire meaningful works of art. Siry specializes in private collections, hotel art collections, curating art exhibitions and events for galleries, museums, organizations and hotels.
1805 Gallery is located at 1805 Columbia Street in San Diego, California.
Please contact 1805 Gallery Director Lauren Siry at lsiry@1805gallery.com for all inquires regarding art programming and available works of art.