“Inspiration comes through discipline in one’s work,” remarks Mariza Sánchez, an artist whose works take rhythmic cues from chants, music, short stories, myths and ancient belief systems. What gains momentum intellectually is ultimately surrendered to instinct. Utilizing a wide breadth of materials including palette knife, brush, cloth, oil, watercolor, ink, and pastel, Sánchez’s mid-size paintings take on oceanic resemblances. Stalactite formations appear as cut leaves, bones, vines; treasures of nature nestled deep. Other works incorporate added dynamism and fuse the painterly contortions of abstraction with subtle allusions to geographical markers of territory and belonging such as bridges, roads and waterways.
Mariza Sánchez is from the city of Tijuana, Mexico and trained under well-known Mexican muralist Juan Zuñiga, an experience which signaled her move into abstraction. As former Director of Cultural Affairs of the City of Tijuana, Sánchez was appointed the Mexican liaison of InSite 94, a collective that develops site-specific works of art along the U.S.-Mexico border. She currently lives in San Diego, California.