Biography

Born in Philadelphia, Alfred Ortega studied painting and sculpture at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Ortega's work is currently represented by the Atlantic Gallery, Nantucket; David David Gallery, Palm Gardens, Florida; Millésimé, Philadelphia; and CSM Art, New Jersey. Ortega has exhibited at the Woodmere Museum and Knapp Gallery in Philadelphia. The artist's work is represented in the permanent collection of the Pennsylvania State Museum and in private collections.

Noted for his bold use of color, Ortega's paintings and oil prints emanate primal energy. His prominent, large canvases reveal a dynamic world populated with vibrant forms and figures barely contained within their frames. A master monoprint maker, Ortega's vivid oil prints of abstracts, figures and portraits are animated by an unabashed freedom of form and color and a daring love of life.

The workday begins with a blank canvas, buckets of color and a sense of mystery. There is no story to be told, only an open communication has begun. My acknowledgment of the beauty, simplicity and harmony of our natural world serves as my foundation and gives me guidance to simplicity of approach in each new work.

As broad strokes of color are laid down to block in large shapes, the action of movement provides me access to a state of presence. There is a freedom in the doing. Focused on composition, reacting to the changes that take place, I begin to rely on a spirit of consciousness as opposed to intuition or intellect while making decisions on color choices and relationships of form.

I have experienced in practice, the more freely I engage in the process, trusting in the power of the present moment, without expectations, the higher and more authentic the work will be.

My intention is to offer the viewer an open door to communication beyond language. With their personal perceptions and vision they then choose to engage their own questions and unknowns. An opportunity to experience one’s own private vision of mystery and sense of our true nature.

We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are. —— Anaïs Nin

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia PA
Certificate Awarded, Franklin Watkins Grant

Independent Museum Study
Musée du Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Musée Maillol, Paris France
Rijks Museum, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam Holland
Prado Museum, Madrid Spain
Tate Gallery, London England

West Chester University, West Chester PA
Philosophy

2026
ACCESSING PRESENCE, Patricia M. Nugent Gallery, Rosemont College, Solo Exhibition, Rosemont PA
Woodmere Museum Annual Juried Exhibition, Smith Hall Gallery, Philadelphia PA

2023
CSM Art, Chatham NJ
Look Listen Gallery, Faces and Such, Group Exhibit, Philadelphia PA
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Fellowship, Rosemont College, Group Exhibit, Rosemont PA
Da Vinci Art Alliance, In Search of Something More, Group Exhibit, Philadelphia PA

2022
CSM Art, Chatham NJ
David David Gallery, Palm Gardens FL

2020
Atlantic Gallery, Nantucket MA
Ligne Roset Gallery, New York, NY
Millésimé, Philadelphia PA
Sofitel Hotel, Philadelphia PA

2019-2016
Atlantic Gallery, Nantucket MA
Ligne Roset Gallery, New York, NY
Millésimé, Philadelphia PA

2015-2013
Atlantic Gallery, Nantucket MA
Chestnut Hill Gallery, Philadelphia PA
Artist's House Gallery, Philadelphia PA

2012-2011
Atlantic Gallery, Nantucket MA
Chestnut Hill Gallery, Philadelphia PA
Ligne Roset Gallery, Philadelphia PA
Knapp Gallery, Philadelphia PA

2010
Galeria Paspartu, Barcelona Spain
Ligne Roset Gallery, Miami FL

Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia PA
Millersville University, Millersville PA
Pennsylvania State Museum, Harrisburg PA
Susquehanna Museum, Susquehanna PA
Gallery D'Este, New York NY
Pennsylvania Academy Museum, Philadelphia PA

Pennsylvania State Museum, Harrisburg PA