public artist
site specific art
artist
nature lover
textiles
art based on the possibilities that evolve
About
My Background
Rosa Mar Tato Ortega's work is conceived of her inner world of impressions, experiences and conversations.
While personal experience is at the centre of her sculpture practice, it is often through outward connections to community or site that her work unfolds. She consistently explores the tensions between material form and ephemeral light/shadow interplay and her work seamlessly crosses between the platforms of public art and personal professional practice.
In 2015, the Women's Art Register (WAR), as part of their 40 year celebrations of existence celebrating Women's Art, commissioned Rosa to revisit an artwork she created at the base of the North Melbourne Housing Tower, in 2012. The art work 'Embracing Distance' enabled the recent arrivals to reflect on their homeland, migration and settlement through a shared process of storytelling and group discussion.
She has been the recipient of several artist-in-residence grants; a research grant in Shanghai through RMIT School of Art and ECNU Shanghai, a funded residency in various locations around Menzies Shire in remote Western Australia, including a month at NGV Studio in 2012. Rosa was also the recipient of the Australia Council for the Arts’ ArtStart Grant.
In 2011, City of Melbourne funded an ambitious community engaged public sculpture project titled ‘Embracing Distance’. This permanent work is experienced as a 30m long decorative installation on site at the North Melbourne Public Housing Estate. It was recently nominated for the 2014 International Public Art Award (IAPA) and achieved recognition as a Semi-Finalist.
Rosa has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally and has received important public, private and site-specific commissions in Victoria.
She was commissioned by BateSmart Architects to create a permanent public artwork at the entrance of the VIP Teak Room at Melbourne's Crown Casino.
Most recent site-specific projects have included a performative light based installation work at Gertrude Street Projection Festival and a site-specific permanent artwork for Wyndham City at Saltwater Community Centre, was unveiled.
Year long Artist in Residence (AIR) at Parks Victoria's Coolart Wetlands comes to an end
The Artist in Residence opportunity at Coolart Wetlands and Homestead has come to an end.
Thank you for visiting, your feedback & support.
The Mid Point Exhibition in May and Final Exhibition in November was hosted by Friends of Coolart and Parks Victoria .
Colour’t By Sea – A Kaleidoscope of Observations I & II enabled the public to discover Coolart and see site specific work in the Homestead and surrounds.
The Exhibition covered the Artist In Residence (AIR) Studio & Tack Room next to the Homestead, Shearing Shed, Stables, Old Machinery Shed, Crake Hide, & Minsmere Hide.
Coolart’s Artist in Residence (AIR) program is sponsored by Parks Victoria. I am looking to set up a studio space in the Mornington Peninsula; if you are aware of a suitable space feel free to make contact.
I have had unique and memorable encounters with locals and visitors, capturing recollections, anecdotes, taking note of personal observations whilst in nature and photographing the local landscape in and around Somers. The resulting exhibition included an outdoor sculptural work which is still evolving and has taken residence close by. Works exhibited are available for purchase and are made up of limited and open editions.
Thank you to Dr Sally Northfield who wrote an essay about my time at Coolart. She is the Education Program Coordinator - United Nations Association Australia (Victoria) & Co-Manager - Women’s Mural Documentation Project.
If you wish to have a copy I can email the catalogue and/or send through the essay and catalogue via snail mail too.
Sharing Stories
These articles reference the importance of sharing stories and the importance of place making.