Dave Ortega
Dave Ortega makes comics and zines that bring together a range of sources to create multilayered narratives about cultural conflict, the scars of colonialism and unheard microhistories. ‘Official’ histories can have a flattening effect, reducing events to dates and figures; Dave’s comics reflect the belief that historical truth is closer to more complex, clunky, often contradictory individual stories.
Dave’s comics may cover historical themes, but through a diversity of storytelling, he creates very personal stories. It’s very exciting to watch Dave explore from a variety of perspectives a history that seems like a distant memory, but one that had a profound impact on family members he’s known in his lifetime. That personal connection with the subject matter leads to very interesting outcomes that, in the hands of Dave are well-executed.
