2007 | CARTONLANDIA | PERSONAL WORK

Emerging Talent No. 1: Ana Serrano
“Ana Serrano is a driven artist willing to take risks,” says Martha Rich, Serrano’s former teacher at Art Center College of Design. “She is passionate and fresh and makes art that comes from inside her heart.” As a first-generation Mexican American born and living in Los Angeles, Serrano is inspired by the two cultural contexts present in her life. “I can only make work that’s my own reality,” says Serrano. “It’s my way of understanding what’s around me.” Her work carries references to people in low socioeconomic positions, with particular interest in their customs and beliefs, as well as the architecture, fashion and informal economies within this segment of society. A current theme in her work is the socio cultural character of drug tracking and the branding and acceptance of the drug lord lifestyle. “Most of my work starts with a story I’ve heard or read,” explains Serrano. “There’s always that narrative element in my art-making process.”

These stories drive Serrano to create 2- and 3D works employing a variety of media, including drawing, typography, collage, sculpture and motion. “My work is often sculptural,” says Serrano. “I realized I much prefer to work three-dimensionally. I quickly fell in love with problem solving through materials and processes. I’ve also always been attracted to work that has an undeniable human hand present in it, and for me, that’s very present when I work sculpturally.”

From colorful mixed-media assemblages to hand puppets filmed in stop motion and live action, Serrano’s visions use familiar visual motifs and whimsical moments to tell tales that make us think twice. The cultural relevance and visual appeal of her work is getting noticed. Serrano was recently featured in “Guey Smart: Emerging Latino Artists,” which was part of East of Eden, a multi-gallery exhibition in L.A. She’s also completed a project sponsored by Live Earth (a company that creates events and media to draw attention to environmental issues) and soft drink manufacturer Pepsi, making an aluminum can Yeti. “I’m excited to do more projects like that,” notes Serrano. “I want to keep producing bodies of work with complete creative freedom, work that I love and find exciting, and the gallery world seems to be the best venue for this right now. I’m also interested in discovering and exploring the different applications available for my work. I want my career to take me many places.”

That desire makes her one to track in the future, says Rich. “She’s curious, and curious people are much more fun to watch. Watch her, because she’s going to surprise us.”
www.anaserrano.com