Ana Mendieta
1948–1985
Introduction
Ana Mendieta (November 18, 1948 – September 8, 1985) was a Cuban-American performance artist, sculptor, painter, and video artist who is best known for her "earth-body" artwork. She is considered one of the most influential Cuban-American artists of the post–World War II era. Born in Havana, Cuba, Mendieta left for the United States in 1961.
Mendieta died on September 8, 1985, in New York City, after falling from her 34th-floor apartment. She lived there with her husband of eight months, minimalist sculptor Carl Andre. The circumstances surrounding her death have been the subject of controversy.
Wikidata identifier
Q463639
Information from Wikipedia, made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Accessed April 14, 2024.
Introduction
Mendieta was born in Cuba but sent to America by her parents at age 13. She lived in foster homes and orphanages for the rest of her childhood. She received her MA in 1972 from the University of Iowa. In the 1970s, she began making 'earth-body sculptures,' employing primitive materials such as blood, earth, fire, and water. She documented her performances, which incorporated aspects of religion and magic, with photographs. In 1983, she went to Rome on an American Academy Fellowship. In 1985, her husband, the Minimalist sculptor Carl Andre, was charged with her death but acquitted.
Country of birth
Cuba
Roles
Artist, painter, performance artist, photographer, sculptor, video artist
ULAN identifier
500052055
Names
Ana Mendieta
Information from the Getty Research Institute's Union List of Artist Names ® (ULAN), made available under the ODC Attribution License. Accessed April 14, 2024.
