I am thrilled that I will be undertaking a site specific project with Jika Jika Community Centre this year and into 2024.
It is a local placemaking project which explicitly addresses loneliness, mental health, and social connection through the use of purposeful designed integrated site specific artwork.
This collaboration resulted in a successful application to the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. This project will lead to the removal of the old childcare fence that surrounds the premises and its replacement, a work of art will be constructed, enhancing and transforming various spaces in and around Jika Jika Community Centre.
‘De-Fence Against Loneliness’ consultation began in March 2023 with the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
Jika Jika Community Centre is incredibly excited to be working with Rosa on our De-Fence Against Loneliness project. We recognise that our existing fence is a barrier to participation and doesn’t sufficiently welcome people in.
Collaborating with Rosa to rethink the way in which our centre presents to the neighbourhood is like embarking on a great adventure. The role of art in public spaces is so important and Rosa’s community engagement process will ensure that our community’s stories, hopes and aspirations are reflected in the artwork that we create together.”
Susan Rennie
Manager Jika Jika Community Centre
As recipient of the Mornington Peninsula Shire's Creative Economy Grant for 2023/24 Rosa is working towards a group exhibition showcasing artists from the Mornington Peninsula, and beyond.
From paper to steel.
Fabrication is next.
7 x seven metre public artwork panels for the built environment of the new Flemington Community Hub.
Estimated completion 2023.
.
A huge part of Rosa’s arts practice is creating work by gathering information from conversations and community engagement sessions focusing on research related to story, history, culture, community and the environment.
Estimated completion May 2024.
'While personal experience is at the centre of her art 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. Subtle collaborations, impressions and triggers, chance meetings, synchronous moments, and often intimate conversations are crucial to understanding her work.'
Dr Sally Northfield Education Program Coordinator United Nations Association Australia (Victoria)
Co-Manager Women’s Mural Documentation Project
“Rosa’s ability to decipher, interpret and reflect personal stories through symbol, pattern, motif, light and text define her art practice. As she explores and experiments with a variety of materials, whether steel, concrete, felt, or a subversive stitch or two, her stunning art-making practice, enacted consistently using light, photography, collage, cutting, textiles - is an invitation to (re)consider the community and environs of your site & project.”
'There is a strong environmental focus in Rosa’s process, intertwined with community storytelling. The layering of imagery in her final artwork reflects the layering of cultural heritage and backgrounds of Flemington with an underlying response to waterways and landscape. Her final artwork for the Flemington Community Hub respectfully and thoughtfully represents people and location and broader themes of environmental conservation, migration and local history. Her artistic processes and outcomes deliver benefits to individuals, the wider public and community.'
Our brief called for an artist to engage with key stakeholders to create an artwork for a series of perforated metal panels. The scale of the panels are approximately 7 metres x 7 metres, with eight panels in total across the west façade of the new building. Construction is underway.'
Gemma Portelli
Project Support Officer
Moonee Valley City Council
'Her CV will demonstrate created works which provide specific environments where she focuses on research, the production and the exhibition of cultural projects, especially those ones related to history, culture, community and their environment. She has been invited to present & exhibit works to celebrate the Women’s Art Register (WAR) 40 Year Celebration. This was quite the installation at the City Library. Rosa has been committed to meeting with manufacturers of materials in Australia so to develop a portfolio of eco-friendly materials that can be integrated into future commissions and site-specific art projects. A highly committed and resourceful artist in her art production as well as meeting timelines and architectural, structural and building guidelines. Whilst she demonstrates with ongoing independent exhibition program, she gives any new project the same dedication." (See images ‘El Pañuelo’ & Wyndham Public Art Commission.)'
David Fitzsimmons Creative Urban Places Program Lead I Arts Melbourne City of Melbourne
Rosa completed a 12 month Artist in residence (AIR) at Park Victoria's Coolart Wetlands. She exhibited works inside the Homestead and in the Minsmere Birdhide & Crake Birdhide in both May & November 2018.
The residency culminated in a day where the public were encouraged to discover the artwork in and around the Coolart Homestead and Wetlands property. The Maggie and Bird series were created in these surrounds and editions of these works are for sale. Rosa created a series of wall hangings and experimenting with range of materials such as carpet, velvet, and silk.
Collaborations in relation to the bird series to develop a range of textiles are welcome.
Photo: Stan Fridlind
'Through a process of consultation, immersion and the gathering of local stories Rosa Mar Tato Ortega produces an artistic interpretation of the site. Her artistic approach is organic and unique, professional, whilst following processes and organisational guidelines. She invites the viewer to individually experience the work from a different perspective. It can be enlightening.'
Julie Ebbott President, Friends of Coolart