Beware the Spiel
Meet the artist:
As an artist, I’ve always had a feeling that I was built with the parts to be a writer, but landed myself in a world of image. Not to say I don’t write, because I do, but the purpose of the writing is to construct a base for everything else. The richness in my images and their compositions come from me trying to describe a world without words. I have made books, printed and bound myself, but what I’m most drawn to are the pieces of work that branch from these literary pieces rather than the finished books or graphic novels themselves.
For me, the stories that interest me are rooted in my own life, drawing from relationships and from difficult moments in my life. Writing stories of fantastical or abstracted versions helps me pull away from my own perspective and better break how to manage a situation without the bias of my own emotions. Characters say things I wish I could, expressing internal conflict I’ve had, and struggle with traumatic events that I have experienced. It makes things that I struggle to grasp and hold onto more tangible.
Obsessive, labor intensive work comes easily to me. I am unable to overlook even the smallest component; Every detail feels essential, the same can be said about the materials I use. If I were to title myself with a dramatic flair, I’d say my goal is to become a master melder. Every material and practice I touch, I wish to mix with others, sometimes unnecessarily complicating something, but the beauty in my art is how it is made, the process, and the cumulative result from my labor. With each new process found, I use the knowledge gained from other materials and apply them to the unknown to find sense.
I dedicate myself to printmaking in all its forms, exploring every technique I can. The repetition and multiplication of the process is seductive for me. It is meditative and the mass of work I get at the end also allows me to manipulate the image without worrying about messing up the whole project. I can print 10 images as intended, and an additional 10 with differing colors, papers, and patterns. So far, this is my home, but I’m sure along the line I’ll find new materials from which to weave a nest.
My work often features divisions, borders and portals of space that layer on top of each other. Copper plates that puzzle piece together to make a larger scene, slightly disjointed, providing different aspects of a scene that at first don’t appear connected. I love the mysterious nature of how they communicate with each other and the viewer.
Confusion in what you are seeing only leaves room for possibility.
Meet My Cat
The reason I don’t stay in the studio till dawn (/j)
Via Mortola
(510) 882-0717 - viamortola@gmail.com - 5206 s Harper ave, apt 3A, Chicago 60615
11-01-01
Education
2020-2026 - BFA, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Chicago, IL
2018 - Biomedical Illustration Pre College program at The Cleveland Institute of Art: Cleveland, OH
2020 - High School Diploma, The Oakland School for the Arts: Oakland, CA
Work Experience
2025-2026. - Studio Monitor and Instructor at SAIC Metal Shop, Welding and Metal finishing
2018-2025 - Freelance Commission Work
2025 - Teachers assistant,The School of the Art Institute of
Chicago: Chicago, IL
2024 - Fabrication of Silkscreen Screens for Staff at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2022-2025 - Studio Monitor,The School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Chicago, IL
Print Media studio
2022-2025 - Studio Monitor,The School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Chicago, IL
Metal Shop
Instructor for Welding and Finishing
2022 - Studio Monitor,The School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Chicago, IL
Digital Fabrication and Laser/Printer lab
2023 - Studio worker for Marshal Svensen, True Form Production: Chicago IL
2022-2023 - Studio Assistant for Eric Stephenson and Richard Hunt at Lunarburn Studios
2018-2022 - Freelance prop stylist’s assistant jobs
Pottery Barn
2018-2022 - Freelance prop stylist’s assistant jobs
Anthropology
2018-2022 - Freelance prop stylist’s assistant job
William Sonoma
Honors, Awards, Scholarships
2020-2025 - Honors Scholarship, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Chicago, IL
2025 - Dean's List, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2025 - Student Worker Scholarship,Oxbow School of Art
2018 - Merit Scholarship, the Cleveland Institute of Art
Exhibitions and Events
2026 - Spring Art Sale for The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2026 - Gallery Armada, opening exhibition, Chicago IL
2025 - Copy Catting, Free Range Gallery, Chicago IL
2025 - Podlasie Holiday Art Sale, Chicago IL
2025 - Mad Made Print Fair, Chicago IL
2025 - Holiday Art Sale,The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2025 - Queer Impressions Show, Chicago IL
2025 - Spring Art Sale for The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2025 - Print Fair, Chicago IL
2024 - Chicago Zine Fest
2024 - Spring Art Sale for The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2019 - Highschool Senior Show, Oakland CA