Michelle Cortez Gonzales

Michelle Cortez Gonzales explores fragmented memory, identity, and the psychological effects of cultural loss through assimilation. Found objects, textiles, and domestic craft processes such as sewing, embroidering, braiding, and constructing, are essential features in her practice, as they also can become lost histories. Working with her hands becomes an important meditative exercise that allows her to connect to tradition, her history, and healing. Michelle’s tendency to layer and blend imagery, materials, and sensory experiences aims to evoke reflection in which the viewer can consider their own history and place.

Artist Biography

Michelle is a Fort Worth-based multidisciplinary artist who creates sewn-textile paintings, sculptures, and installations. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the University of Texas at Arlington, and her Master of Fine Arts in painting from the University of Dallas. She has exhibited in various solo and group shows including Anya Tish Gallery (Houston, TX), Umbrella Gallery (Dallas, TX), and Presa House Gallery (San Antonio, TX). Michelle was featured in Visit Fort Worth’s 2021 series of “Women Worth Meeting”, and has been awarded residencies from Cuttyhunk Artist Residency, Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts (2021), and with the Amon Carter Museum of American Art as a 2021 Community Artist. Her work has been written about in publications including the Dallas Morning News, Glasstire, Fort Worth Magazine, and Maake Magazine. Recently, Michelle was selected for the 2022 Texas Vignette and as a recipient of the 2023 National Endowment for the Arts: Challenge America Grant from the Dallas District Colleges. In addition to her studio practice, Michelle works as a public art project manager with Arts Fort Worth.