Ani Villanueva

Ani Villanueva (born Ana Isabel Villanueva Brandt on July 8, 1954) is a Venezuelan visual and performance artist who is best known for her performances and collaborative works during the 1980s. Her work is heavily influenced by her extensive education that she received throughout her life. Many of her more notable performances juxtapose fantasy with reality, while her later paintings are abstract and minimalist.

Personal life

Early life and education The daughter of Venezuelan painter Mary Brandt, Ani was constantly surrounded and influenced by art of all kinds, including music, drama, and dance. During the 1970s, Ani travelled in order to further her education, attending the Andrés Bello Catholic University in Caracas, the University of Essex in England, and the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris, studying psychology, political science, and Taoism respectively.

Collaborations and influence Villanueva's work, often consisting of multiple mediums, was greatly influenced by the artistic education she received during her upbringing. Villanueva's influences and collaborations went beyond Latin American artistic trends and styles. For example, Iguana, her collaboration with Carlos Villanueva and two British artists, incorporates elements from two distinctly different art styles and methodologies.

Early artistic career Villanueva began her career after departing the École Pratique des Hautes Études, dancing with the Parisian group, Macrodanza, during 1981 and 1982.

Later works

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (2002) This performance was named after mid-to-late 17th century female philosopher and scholar Juana Inés de la Cruz and was performed at the Miami Art Museum. In this performance, Villanueva dresses and acts as the aforementioned de la Cruz.

Casos de Cosas (2004)

Casos de Cosas, literally translated into English as "cases of things", is an assemblage that incorporates six-pack rings for soda cans held together by zip ties. This piece was part of her focus on marine and coral ecosystems, as well as an incorporation of her training in mixed media art.

Later awards In 2005, Villanueva won first prize at the 8th Bienal Nacional de Escultura Francisco Narvaez (or the 8th Francisco Narvaez National Sculpture Biennial), an event in which artists submit sculptures or other installations for competition.

Collections Many of Villanueva's notable works are not in museums or galleries today, as many of Villanueva's works incorporated mixed mediums and performance art. Villanueva's more recent abstract works are displayed in various museums across Venezuela.