Mauricio Ortiz

Mauricio Ortiz’s paintings depict single objects floating in the middle of the canvas like stars in space, elemental and monolithic. His technical skill with paint is dazzling, with an attention to detail that makes these giant subjects hyper-real, drawing the viewer into an almost trance-like state.
Once these images draw you in, other associations come to mind. From a planet in space to a specimen on a microscopic slide, the visual field is open to the imagination. For Ortiz these are objects of devotion, visual mantras to lead the viewer into a deeper state of contemplation. Ortiz emerged from Central America in 1990 into a unique residency at the Delfina studios in London.
UK fans of Ortiz’s work include celebrity chef Jamie Oliver (who commissioned a piece) and Russian tycoon, Roman Abramovich, who owns various large works, including rare examples of the original shell series created for Mogens Tholstrup’s The Collection.