• Portfolio
  • News
  • Artists
  • Exhibitions
  • Log In
Artwork Archive Logo
  • Discovery
Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center

Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center

Cleveland, Ohio

Message
  • Portfolio
  • News
  • Artists
  • Exhibitions
Artists Image
  • Artist: Tanya Kaiser

As a visual artist, mother, and woman, I explore the theme of womanhood through my work, focusing on femininity, identity, and the intersection of politics and religion. My art has been recognized for its boldly feminist perspective, openly questioning societal expectations while drawing from personal experiences, particularly my upbringing in the Catholic Church with a Latina mother. The vessel is a central motif in my practice, especially the image of the Virgin Mary, the ultimate vessel. My religious upbringing made her a dominant presence in my home, her likeness displayed on small laminated cards, tall glass prayer candles, and altars. She was the Mother we prayed to, seeking her guidance and forgiveness. Through my work, I examine her humanity, her pain, and her role as a mother, moving beyond reverence to consider her suffering and sacrifice. ​ I frequently incorporate botanical and female forms as catalysts, recognizing their shared symbolism of fertility, beauty, and life. Yet my pieces are not pristine; curled edges, deliberate punctures, and patina finishes convey history, resilience, and imperfection. I am particularly interested in the cultural silencing of women’s suffering and the stigma surrounding the female form, especially in relation to reproductive health. My work critiques the entangled relationship between politics and religion, examining how these forces shape women’s societal roles and bodily autonomy. By confronting these issues directly, I hope my work serves as a vehicle for dialogue, challenging preconceived notions of beauty, motherhood, and power.

Puerto Rican
Sculpture
Mixed Media
Ceramics
Illustration
Painting
Open to Commissions
Open to Residencies
Open to Project Collaboration
Open to other Opportunities
Open to Teaching

Crystalized Innocence by Tanya Kaiser
  • Tanya Kaiser
  • Crystalized Innocence, 2025
Sugar, found object, and resin
20 x 16 x 1.5 in
(50.8 x 40.64 x 3.81 cm)
Ovary Rosary by Tanya Kaiser
  • Tanya Kaiser
  • Ovary Rosary, 2017
Stoneware, underglaze, glaze, stain, and mixed media.
 

Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center Artist Spotlight: Illuminating Unidos por el Arte is made possible in part by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.