Biography
Annie Terrazzo grew up in Breckenridge, Colorado, where she spent most of her time writing plays on a 1970’s typewriter and watching old movies while dreaming of Paris. She grew up around art and a silversmith family who taught her how to make beautiful things.
After Annie graduated from the Academy of Art in San Francisco she began her career in trash portraiture, mostly focusing on using found objects, newspapers and magazines. She enjoys creating work that allows the viewer not only see it visually but read it as well.
Annie’s statement says as much about her work as it does about herself. She said that “There is great beauty to be found. Sometimes you have to go through the trash to find it.” From this quote, it is clear that it shines through her artwork.
Through the lens of the past, Annie projects are a contemporary mindset that bisects historical memory and the contemporary cultural context to create a realm where the body finds an equilibrium of both ideal beauty and sexuality, as well as personal expression and ironic juxtaposition within a contemporary mind frame and the cultural memory of the past. Annie’s work instantly draws in the viewer and stands out among other contemporary art due to its familiarity, but also it’s originality and undeniable intention, and masterful craftsmanship.”
Annie explained that her work has always been about trash. She said “I don’t think it started out of inspiration but a reaction to sheer poverty”. Back in 2003, after moving to LA from a couple of other places, Annie didn’t have the money to afford real materials. “It wasn’t really my intention”, but using these found objects and used materials from thrift shops collectively told a story within the work.
