When Art Gets Too Real

review by Chloe Hoang

Brandeis art museum review
Body tracks 1982

Ana Mendieta is a a Cuban American performance artist, sculptor, painter, and video artist. She was born in Havana, and came to the States as a refugee in 1961 two years after Fidel Castro overthrew the government. She is most well known for her Earth-body art work. Ana revolved most of her artwork around the theme of violence, life, death, place, and belonging. Because she is very familiar with all the themes that she chose, Ana’s work is very real. Body Tracks (1982) is a series of three paintings of had/ arm traces at three different positions. What made this piece so real is not only the deathly look of it, but also the fact that the paintings are made from a combination of Ana’s real blood and paint. The painting shows the shape of the arms and fingers holding onto the canvas, but slowly sliding away. Looking at the paintings, many would imagine that the traces are of someone who got killed and was pulled away. The paintings are no doubt very dark, and it is the sad and dark meaning behind her motivation to paint so that makes the piece valuable. This piece makes a very strong statement about violence. Ana proves that art can take up many forms, and it does not always have to be pretty and happy. Ana used art to make statements about on going issues in the world. The beauty of her art comes from their uniqueness and the messages she sends.