Brooklyn-Based Interdisciplinary Artist, Theresa Ortolani, is the winner of eight PDN and 26 International Photography Awards. A PDN 30 to Watch nominee, her work has been widely published and included in the New York and Seoul International Photo Festivals.
Her first monograph, ENDURANCE (powerHouse Books), was named Best Photography Book by the PDN Annual. Limited edition artist book, [DE]COMPOSED, was an International Photography Award winner and was exhibited by The International Center for Photography MFA, Baxter St, and Klompching Galleries.
Ortolani is a Ph.D candidate in the Philosophy / Art / Critical Thought division at the European Graduate School where she was a Teaching Assistant to Alfredo Jaar and Jean-Luc Nancy. Her dissertation is being authored under the supervision of Judith Butler and addresses liminality in self-reflexive cinema as it relates to her documentary feature, SAUDADE: Name of the Father. A former Dean’s Scholar in the Bard-ICP Photo/Video MFA program, she also holds a BFA in Sculpture and Photography from Boston University College of Fine Arts.
She lectured and developed visual literacy programs in conjunction with Ansel Adams Center for Photography / San Francisco Art Institute, TFA / NYU, SUNY, and she has been a visiting artist for the School of Visual Arts' Professional Practice series.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
"Theresa Ortolani is that rare and particular type of artist who will not only consistently attempt to grow and define her work in ambitious and challenging ways, but she will ultimately succeed in making them happen – with an astute eye, instinctual, almost preternatural understanding, and with the grit and hard work necessary to bring them into the world."
– Daniel Power, Founder powerHouse Books and NYPH
"Saudade is a masterpiece. I think it’s going to do extremely well in a certain lane that is much needed – cinema as art, pushing the limits. Theresa Ortolani has achieved something incredible. It’s not an easy film to watch; sometimes it’s uncomfortable, but there’s a whole set of people who love cinema and we – thousands of us – are going to love it. Theresa Ortolani has given us a gift. A true artistic achievement. Bravo!”
– Stephanie Black
“Theresa Ortolani has developed a new visual language for documentary. A true Artist”
– Maryse Alberti
“The film hits the nail hard on the head of every fundamental human psychological issue there is. As a matter of fact, not only the head but the side and front as well. As a child and parent and human being it truly wraps all these things up in one powerful shot. Mortality, finitude, sacrifice, confidence regret, and LOVE”
– Mathieu Borysevicz
“Saudade is profoundly disturbing, beautiful and taking you to the intimacy of an imagined childhood. Theresa Ortolani is touching her life in an utmost singularity, of course, but also universally. The combination of alterity and intimacy and the search of time, neither lost nor gained, time … is this film.”
– Hubertus von Amelunxen
"Saudade is exceptional – a great story well told in a complex way. [The audience is] me; me and my friends. Anyone who thinks… Film Forum, IFC…”
– Elisabeth Biondi
View C.V.
Her first monograph, ENDURANCE (powerHouse Books), was named Best Photography Book by the PDN Annual. Limited edition artist book, [DE]COMPOSED, was an International Photography Award winner and was exhibited by The International Center for Photography MFA, Baxter St, and Klompching Galleries.
Ortolani is a Ph.D candidate in the Philosophy / Art / Critical Thought division at the European Graduate School where she was a Teaching Assistant to Alfredo Jaar and Jean-Luc Nancy. Her dissertation is being authored under the supervision of Judith Butler and addresses liminality in self-reflexive cinema as it relates to her documentary feature, SAUDADE: Name of the Father. A former Dean’s Scholar in the Bard-ICP Photo/Video MFA program, she also holds a BFA in Sculpture and Photography from Boston University College of Fine Arts.
She lectured and developed visual literacy programs in conjunction with Ansel Adams Center for Photography / San Francisco Art Institute, TFA / NYU, SUNY, and she has been a visiting artist for the School of Visual Arts' Professional Practice series.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
"Theresa Ortolani is that rare and particular type of artist who will not only consistently attempt to grow and define her work in ambitious and challenging ways, but she will ultimately succeed in making them happen – with an astute eye, instinctual, almost preternatural understanding, and with the grit and hard work necessary to bring them into the world."
– Daniel Power, Founder powerHouse Books and NYPH
"Saudade is a masterpiece. I think it’s going to do extremely well in a certain lane that is much needed – cinema as art, pushing the limits. Theresa Ortolani has achieved something incredible. It’s not an easy film to watch; sometimes it’s uncomfortable, but there’s a whole set of people who love cinema and we – thousands of us – are going to love it. Theresa Ortolani has given us a gift. A true artistic achievement. Bravo!”
– Stephanie Black
“Theresa Ortolani has developed a new visual language for documentary. A true Artist”
– Maryse Alberti
“The film hits the nail hard on the head of every fundamental human psychological issue there is. As a matter of fact, not only the head but the side and front as well. As a child and parent and human being it truly wraps all these things up in one powerful shot. Mortality, finitude, sacrifice, confidence regret, and LOVE”
– Mathieu Borysevicz
“Saudade is profoundly disturbing, beautiful and taking you to the intimacy of an imagined childhood. Theresa Ortolani is touching her life in an utmost singularity, of course, but also universally. The combination of alterity and intimacy and the search of time, neither lost nor gained, time … is this film.”
– Hubertus von Amelunxen
"Saudade is exceptional – a great story well told in a complex way. [The audience is] me; me and my friends. Anyone who thinks… Film Forum, IFC…”
– Elisabeth Biondi
View C.V.