Collection: LA2

Angel Ortiz, known as LAII or LA2, meaning ‘little angel’ is an American artist of Puerto Rican descent from the Lower East side in New York. 

Known primarily for his extensive collaborations with Keith Haring - his contributions to Haring’s work, including his trademark infill squiggles, have largely become obscured by the art establishment, giving Angel Ortiz a cult-following who continue to champion his work and push for his wider recognition. 

Having started out making graffiti from the age of 10 in the mid 1970’s, his subway tags eventually caught the attention of Keith Haring. He was inspired by the young Ortiz’s artistry and the two began collaborating, eventually working together for an exhibition at the Tony Shafrazi gallery in New York. At the age of sixteen, Ortiz would be in contact with Andy Warhol and Basquiat, but whilst Keith Haring would go on to international acclaim Ortiz would not achieve comparable recognition at the time.

Over time his practice is being recognised more significantly, with him having a sold-out show at D’Stassi gallery in Shoreditch (2022) and going on to collaborate extensively with Hackney-based artist ‘Stik’ on murals and canvas works.