The Heinz Family Foundation announced their 26th Heinz Award recipients, including Tanya Aguiñiga, a visual artist recognized for blending contemporary craft, sculpture and performance to address issues of migration, gender and identity. Established by Teresa Heinz to honor the memory of her late husband, U.S. Senator John Heinz, the Heinz Awards celebrate his accomplishments and spirit by recognizing the extraordinary achievements of individuals in the areas of importance to him. This year’s recipients represent the vision, creativity and determination that produce achievements of lasting good and meaningful impact, which the Heinz Awards hopes to inspire.

Born in San Diego and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, Aguiñiga draws on her life experience as a binational citizen and blends traditional Indigenous weaving practices and materials and contemporary design into elaborate and colorful works that hang on walls, form immersive performance installations, incorporate film, and more. Work includes AMBOS (Art Made Between Opposite Sides), AMBOS: Border Quipu/Quipu Fronterizo, and Metabolizing the Border.

“My hands translate and record human emotion through craft.” - Tanya Aguiñiga

Tanya Aguiñiga also was the inaugural recipient in 2018 of the Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities from Americans for the Arts.