ARTIST BIO / STATEMENT
Aldara Ortega is a self-taught photographer. Over a decade ago, she began experimenting with underwater photography as an escape from urban life. Her work is a visual journey of self-discovery, freedom, and pure expression of the body, mind, and heart. It reflects the transformational experience of being submerged in water, letting go, and reconnecting with the raw, liberated inner self.Through her underwater portraits of women, the artist weaves intricate storylines of personal narratives, offering viewers glimpses of her quest to honor the feminine. She invites you to connect intimately with her work, evoking feelings of strength, liberation, boldness, sensuality, and empowerment.
Spontaneity is integral to her photography, allowing both muse and artist to embrace play and experimentation. Each session is often limited in time, unique in location, and marked by spur-of-the-moment encounters. Combined with the natural power of water, weather conditions, and natural light, this creates an environment that surprises both the muse and the photographer.
Born in Madrid, Spain, Aldara Ortega holds a bachelor's degree in Fashion Design from Centro Superior de Diseño de Moda, Politécnica University of Madrid. After moving to New York in 2010, she began her career as a mixed media artist and painter. Her current practice focuses exclusively on underwater photography.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Immersing myself in the underwater world, I surrender to its inherent power and begin a journey of exploration. My photography captures this journey, emphasizing the strength and beauty of feminine energy. Through my work, I celebrate women and their bodies, inviting viewers to engage with their feminine beauty, be present in the moment, and see the world in a new light, appreciating the interplay of light, motion, and emotion.
Education
Fashion Design Superior Center, Madrid, Spain
Sustainable Agent of Change, University of Colorado System.
Tropical Coastal Ecosystems, The University of Queensland.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2021 Dive In, Galerie L'Atelier, New York, NY.
2020 Etérea, Tulum, Mexico.
2014 NH3 Gallery, Liquid Project NY
2013 Casa Mezcal, Liquid Desert, New York, NY
2012 Space 108, Refractions, Miami, FL
Selected Exhibitions
2022 Hamptons Fine Art Fair, Southhampton, NY.
Galerie L'Atelier, Greenwich, CT.
2021 Context - Art Miami, Art Basel Miami, FL.
Galerie L'Atelier, Greenwich, CT.
Art On Paper, New York, NY.
Summer Breeze, New York, NY.
Re-Merge, Bridgehampton, NY.
Art Marker, Bridgehampton, NY.
2019 White Porch Gallery. Miami, FL.
2018 “Displacement: Woman’s Journeys”, Ceres Gallery, New York, NY.
Art Palm Beach, West Palm, FL.
2017 Context Art Miami, Miami, FL. Feria Internacional de Arte y Cultura de Bogotá, BARCÚ, Colombia.
Georges Berges Gallery, New York, NY.
Market Art + Design, Bridgehampton, NY.
Roman Fine Art, East Hampton, NY.
2016 The Flatz Gallery, Breaking Surface, Peekskill, NY.
Art Hamptons, Bridgehampton, NY
2015 Scope Miami,Florida.
Art Toronto, Canada.
Feria Internacional de Arte y Cultura de Bogotá,BARCU, Colombia.
Affordable Art Fair New York, NY.
Galleria Ca D’Oro, Breaking Surface, New York, New York
Art Hamptons, Hamptons, NY
Index Dubai, International Design Exhibition, United Arab Emirates
2014 Art is Life and Life is Art, New York, NY
What would you rather be?, Group Show, New York, NY
2013 ManHATan/MADhattan, New York, NY
Majestic Creations, Temporary Public Installation, New York, NY
2012 Linus Gallery, Motion, Online Exhibition
Linus Gallery, Bits an Pices, Pasadena, CA
Linus Gallery, Water’s Edge, Pasadena, CA
Location 05, Group Show, New York, NY
MOD’ART International, Shanghai International Fashion Center, Zeal, Shanghai, China
The Boiler Gallery, Annual Wagmag Exhibition, Williamsburg, NY
Lazypoint, Summer Group Show, Amagansett, NY
Quartier Salon, Brooklyn, NY
2009 20 Bond, Group Exhibition, New York, NY
Aldara Ortega is a self-taught photographer. Over a decade ago, she began experimenting with underwater photography as an escape from urban life. Her work is a visual journey of self-discovery, freedom, and pure expression of the body, mind, and heart. It reflects the transformational experience of being submerged in water, letting go, and reconnecting with the raw, liberated inner self.Through her underwater portraits of women, the artist weaves intricate storylines of personal narratives, offering viewers glimpses of her quest to honor the feminine. She invites you to connect intimately with her work, evoking feelings of strength, liberation, boldness, sensuality, and empowerment.
Spontaneity is integral to her photography, allowing both muse and artist to embrace play and experimentation. Each session is often limited in time, unique in location, and marked by spur-of-the-moment encounters. Combined with the natural power of water, weather conditions, and natural light, this creates an environment that surprises both the muse and the photographer.
Born in Madrid, Spain, Aldara Ortega holds a bachelor's degree in Fashion Design from Centro Superior de Diseño de Moda, Politécnica University of Madrid. After moving to New York in 2010, she began her career as a mixed media artist and painter. Her current practice focuses exclusively on underwater photography.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Immersing myself in the underwater world, I surrender to its inherent power and begin a journey of exploration. My photography captures this journey, emphasizing the strength and beauty of feminine energy. Through my work, I celebrate women and their bodies, inviting viewers to engage with their feminine beauty, be present in the moment, and see the world in a new light, appreciating the interplay of light, motion, and emotion.
Education
Fashion Design Superior Center, Madrid, Spain
Sustainable Agent of Change, University of Colorado System.
Tropical Coastal Ecosystems, The University of Queensland.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2021 Dive In, Galerie L'Atelier, New York, NY.
2020 Etérea, Tulum, Mexico.
2014 NH3 Gallery, Liquid Project NY
2013 Casa Mezcal, Liquid Desert, New York, NY
2012 Space 108, Refractions, Miami, FL
Selected Exhibitions
2022 Hamptons Fine Art Fair, Southhampton, NY.
Galerie L'Atelier, Greenwich, CT.
2021 Context - Art Miami, Art Basel Miami, FL.
Galerie L'Atelier, Greenwich, CT.
Art On Paper, New York, NY.
Summer Breeze, New York, NY.
Re-Merge, Bridgehampton, NY.
Art Marker, Bridgehampton, NY.
2019 White Porch Gallery. Miami, FL.
2018 “Displacement: Woman’s Journeys”, Ceres Gallery, New York, NY.
Art Palm Beach, West Palm, FL.
2017 Context Art Miami, Miami, FL. Feria Internacional de Arte y Cultura de Bogotá, BARCÚ, Colombia.
Georges Berges Gallery, New York, NY.
Market Art + Design, Bridgehampton, NY.
Roman Fine Art, East Hampton, NY.
2016 The Flatz Gallery, Breaking Surface, Peekskill, NY.
Art Hamptons, Bridgehampton, NY
2015 Scope Miami,Florida.
Art Toronto, Canada.
Feria Internacional de Arte y Cultura de Bogotá,BARCU, Colombia.
Affordable Art Fair New York, NY.
Galleria Ca D’Oro, Breaking Surface, New York, New York
Art Hamptons, Hamptons, NY
Index Dubai, International Design Exhibition, United Arab Emirates
2014 Art is Life and Life is Art, New York, NY
What would you rather be?, Group Show, New York, NY
2013 ManHATan/MADhattan, New York, NY
Majestic Creations, Temporary Public Installation, New York, NY
2012 Linus Gallery, Motion, Online Exhibition
Linus Gallery, Bits an Pices, Pasadena, CA
Linus Gallery, Water’s Edge, Pasadena, CA
Location 05, Group Show, New York, NY
MOD’ART International, Shanghai International Fashion Center, Zeal, Shanghai, China
The Boiler Gallery, Annual Wagmag Exhibition, Williamsburg, NY
Lazypoint, Summer Group Show, Amagansett, NY
Quartier Salon, Brooklyn, NY
2009 20 Bond, Group Exhibition, New York, NY
