Page 80 - Masters

master

JAIME MENdOzA

Lives and works in Chicago, Illinois USA

SEARCH THE ARTIST ONLINE www.neiu.edu/~jmendoza

Currently residing and working in Chicago, Mendoza earned his Bachelor This dynamic becomes a cyclical, relationship: the artist responds to
of Arts in Studio Arts from Northeastern Illinois University in 1998. In criticism by producing more work which is then subjected to further
2002 he earned a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts from the University criticism. This series of self-portraits depicts the artist as a participant
of Illinois at Chicago. in this symbiotic relationship.
Concerned with issues of immigration, ethnicity and borders, Mendoza In response to these ever-increasing pressures, the artist becomes
uses a variety of mediums such as video, photography, and mixed a seeker of solace, attempting to resolve the conflicting demands of
media installations - all of which fuse thepolitics of contemporary urban his personal vision, his cultural expectations and his ever-present,
culture with idealistic meditations on aesthetics, history, and identity. all-encompassing physiology.
His most recent work “Under the Influence” continues his exploration of The question now becomes one of whether the socially prescribed
the politics of contemporary urban culture, this series of photographs salves for the soul offer an actual remedy or stifle creativity, distorting
examines the place of the artist within a social context. In his position the artist’s vision. Does this codependency enable, or does it inspire
as social commentator, the artist is subject to cultural criticism. true passion?

UNDer tHe INFLUeNCe serIes #1, 2006 DIgITAL PRINT 8x10 IN. /20x25 CM. 
aLL Better, 2006 DIgITAL PRINT 8x10 IN. /20x25 CM. 
FLUsH trIPtYCH, 2006 DIgITAL PRINT 8x10 IN. /20x25 CM. 

 IF a mexICaN CrOsses tHe BOrDer?, 2005 FOUND SURvEILLANCE PHOTOS OF U.S.–MExICAN BORDER w/BLACk AND wHITE vINYL wALL LETTERINg 28x87 IN. /70x220 CM.

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masters of today