Blanka Amezkua
Blanka Amezkua (born 1971 in Mexico City) is a Mexican contemporary artist currently living and working in New York City.[1] She has adopted "crochet, embroidery and comic book visual vernacular" as techniques to explore female sexuality her work.[2] She is most recognizable for her alternative art project titled “Bronx Blue Bedroom Project” that ran from 2008 to 2010 in Mott Haven, Bronx.[3]
Blanka Amezkua | |
---|---|
Born | 1971 (age 48–49) |
Nationality | Mexican |
Style | Contemporary art |
Early life
Amezkua was born in Mexico City and raised in Los Angeles, California.[4] She earned a B.A. in 1989 from California State University at Fresno, and she attended the Scuola Libera del Nudo of the Accademia di Belle Arti of Florence, Italy, between 1997 and 1998, formally trained as a painter.[5][6]
Career
Amezkua began an artist-run project in her bedroom called the Bronx Blue Bedroom Project (BBBP) in 2008. In 2010, BBBP's two-year trajectory was included in the show "Alternative Histories" at Exit Art in New York City.[7]
Later in 2010, she moved to Greece and began a project titled "3///3 ...three walls on wednesdays...", an open invitation for artists from anywhere in the world to exhibit their work on three portable walls that she carried and placed throughout the city.[8]
In 2012 she initiated 8 to 8: State of Creative Emergency an opportunity for artists in any field to craft an idea and present it in public space for twelve hours straight.[9]
Her work has been referenced in The New York Times[10][11][12] TimeOut NY,[13] and The Bronx Beat.[14]
Awards
- 2009 Department of Cultural Affairs Greater New York Arts Development Fund 2009 : (Bronx Blue Bedroom Project)[15]
- 2008 The Bronx Museum of the Arts: AIM 28 (Artist in the Marketplace)[16]
- 2008 Bronx Council On The Arts: BRIO[17][18]
References
- "Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art: Feminist Art Base: Blanka Amezkua". Brooklyn Museum. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- Schwendener, Martha. (December 15, 2006). "Art From Everywhere, All From Queens". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- "About". Bronx Blue Room Project. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- Alvarez, Lizette. (October 23, 2009). "Jogging to Start, and Ending With Art". The New York Times
- " Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art: Feminist Art Base: Blanka Amezkua". Brooklyn Museum. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- "P.S.1 Studio Visit | Blanka Amezkua". MoMa PS1. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- "Past Programs - Alternative Histories". Exit Art.
- Amezkua, Blanka. (June 12, 2012). "State of Creative Emergency in Athens". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- Amezkua, Blanka. (June 12, 2012). "State of Creative Emergency in Athens". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- Schwendener, Martha. (December 15, 2006). "Art From Everywhere, All From Queens". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- Kugel, Seth. (June 8, 2008). "The Bronx Is More Than Just Yankee Stadium". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- Smith, Roberta. (July 25, 2008). "ART REVIEW Artists Leap Into the Moment". The New York Times.
- Carlin, T.J. (Dec 3, 2008). "Bronx Blue Bedroom Project". TimeOut NY.
- Nepal, Indu. (April 5, 2008). "Bronx Artist's Gallery is Home Sweet Home". The Bronx Beat.
- "Bronx Council on the Arts Announces 2008-09 Recipients of Municipal and State Funds". Bronx Council on the Arts. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- "Artist in the Marketplace". Bronx Museum of the Arts. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- Maria C. Sierra. (January 28, 2010). "Mental Notes Delivered". Bronx Art Guide.
- "List of Winners". Bronx Council on the Arts.
- "Resident Artist Blanka Amezkua May 2013". artAmari. Retrieved October 23, 2014.