Suburban Wonderland

Raleigh, North Carolina, resident Alberto Ortega’s quiet surroundings are a far cry from Seville, Spain, where the artist was born and raised. It wasn’t long after immigrating to the United States that his humdrum suburban surroundings became his favorite muse.

- ALBERTO ORTEGA

In Eye of the Beholder—a solo exhibition of the artist’s work on view at Arcadia Contemporary from November 7 through December 1—Ortega depicts the nostalgic 1950s suburban scenes that have shaped American society as we know it. But underneath the safety and comfort of the mundane moments he portrays, lies a sense of unease, challenging the general collective’s rosy retrospection of this era.

“I would describe myself as an artist who delves into the hidden narratives of suburban life,” says Ortega. “My paintings depict seemingly mundane suburban scenes, often set at night or dusk, which subtly evoke feelings of mystery, isolation and tension. Visually, my work is rooted in a muted, atmospheric palette that reinforces this sense of unease. With my art, I aim to explore the complexities of suburban life—its quiet isolation, unspoken tensions, and the sense of detachment that can linger beneath its surface.”

Steadfast in his opposition of the “American dream” of mid 20th-century ideals, Ortega challenges the merits of societal conformity and the nuclear family, calling out the contradictions and mounting pressures pervasive in that era of national identity. Zoning in on the carbon copy neighborhoods to the Baby Boomer generation, he breaks through their shiny facades, exposing the underlying fragility and isolation.