About

It all started when…

As an interdisciplinary artist with a day job, I was in the process of finding a balance for a hectic schedule in an urban environment. I grew up surrounded by nature, and at that moment, I realized that my practice needed to return to nature. I took the studio outside where movement, nutrition, and gardening became the focus of my practice.

The first seeds I used to create an urban garden were planted on our rooftop in Brooklyn. One of the big reasons to start a garden was that our son was a baby and I wanted to show him where food came from.

I grew vegetables and herbs in containers for almost 10 years in Brooklyn. Right before the pandemic, we moved to a 100-year old charming house across the river. Restoring this old house and land is an art project too. Every day, I’m reminded of how important was to plant that first seed in Brooklyn. It changed my awareness and intentions.

I’m a constant learner. I began my studies at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and received an MFA in Sculpture and Printmaking. As my practice changed, I received a certification as a trainer from Hunter College. I learned about the importance of daily movement, nutrition, and anatomy. In recent years, became an Environmental Steward from Rutgers University where I learned about ecosystems, water, trees, native, and invasive plants.

I create gardens at my home and with the community. I work with a variety of materials like seeds, plants, yarn, looms, textiles, prints made with homemade inks from the plants I grow, photography, and performance.

I describe my practice as inside and outside. My home and garden are one studio.

Studio

interview:
An insight into the practice of artist Rossana Martinez by Naz Shahrokh

coming soon