Annotated Bibliography

Mendieta, Ana. Untitled, (Silueta series) 1973-1978, 20 x 13 inches, C-Print reproduced from Artspace/Virginia Miller Galleries, http://www.virginiamiller.com/exhibitions/1990s/AnaMendieta.html


Heartney, Eleanor. “Rediscovering Ana Mendieta.” Art in America 92, no. 10 (2004): 139-143.

This five page article by Eleanor Hartley, discusses the then current (2004) retrospective exhibition of Ana Mendieta at the Hirshhorn Museum, New York. Hartley, the author of Art & Today, uses her knowledge of Contemporary art and research by the curator Olga Viso. The article provides a comprehensive look at Mendieta’s life and what influenced her work, giving numerous examples and analysis’ of her artwork. I found this article useful providing various images and in-depth information for my presentation.

Sheets, "Unraveling the Story of Ana Mendieta," ARTnews, Summer 2004, p. 48, 50.

Rather than writing a review purely about the exhibition ‘Ana Mendieta: Earth Body, Sculpture and Performance 1972-1985’, Hillarie Sheets focusses on the artist, her life story and looks at the extensive research by curator Olga Viso. This provides a good understanding of Ana’s background, documentation and influences. Although short, I found this a helpful article.

Chadwick, Whitney. Mirror images : women, surrealism, and self-representation.
Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1998.

This book discusses women, surrealism, and self-representation in art. Although not about art and nature, it looks at Mendieta in the realm of surrealism, self-representation and it’s boundaries. The section on Mendieta, The Body as Trace, begins with a quote by Ana reflecting on how having been torn from her homeland, she was influenced to work with nature and the body. From there, the reading provides a short biography and a chronological look at her work in relationship to surrealism. Although an interesting read I did not draw much information from this book however the quote provided a framework from which to place the artworks I was discussing.

Heartney, Eleanor. Art & Today. London: Phaidon Press Limited, 2008.

The chapter on Art & Nature and Technology discusses artists who’s works mainly reflects their political views in relation to the various effects society, technology and science has on nature. Although many artists’ works are analysed, Mendieta’s is not one of them. This chapter focusses more on the political issues surrounding art, nature and technology rather than that of Ana’s more personal and spiritual connection to nature. I felt this was of little reference for my presentation.