Ribbon Fence is a series of colorful monoprints by Victoria Martinez newly published by Process/Process. At the studio Martinez composed images in real time, first by painting the wrought iron fences common to Chicago’s Lower West Side with ink made from hibiscus flowers; then, by running ribbon-like, vinyl tape through the press in playful arrangements; and finally, by adding shapes in various colors.

The process itself represents the artist’s joyful and grounded approach to image-making in layers. Many of Martinez’ recent works are made “in conversation” with the city where she is living or working. Titles like “Miami Windows,” “A Stroll in Chelsea,” “flâneur,” and “I see doors in my Dreams” evoke an artist on the move. The forms within them, often at the precipice of figuration, have a choreography of their own.

While the works in Ribbon Fence incorporate plastic ribbon sourced from a nearby hardware store and natural pigments, some of the materials the artist has used recently in her practice include silk, pantihose, brick, and sheet metal. Each monoprint incorporates inks made from hibiscus tea along with more traditional oil-based inks. The artist’s interest in the hibiscus flower began with research at the University of Chicago and continues today at the New York Botanical Garden.

As a woman making abstract work, Martinez is interested in “taking up space,” tapping into cultural memories and practices, and engaging the history of painting itself