Artist Bio:
Melissa Lucano is an Interdepartmental Mathematics and Visual Arts major from New York City. While in college she explored different art mediums and especially enjoyed printmaking and oil painting. Much of her work is inspired by her Latin American background. She enjoys showcasing her Mexican-Ecuadorian heritage as well as showing her appreciation for other cultures through their folklore stories, traditional clothing and celebrations. After graduation, she will be going abroad to Taiwan as a Fulbright ETA and also hopes to bring art to the classroom.
Artist Statement:
The title of my project is "O Boto Cor de Rosa" which translates to "The Pink Dolphin". This folklore originates from the indigenous communities living in Brazil's Amazonia. I selected this folklore because I wanted to shine a light on the indigenous culture in Latin America; this specific folklore from Brazil grabbed my attention because it combines historical events and mystical creatures to represent the sexual violence women have faced and continue to face. In night the pink dolphin turns into a man with a white suit and invades indigenous communities to commit his heinous crime. Through my collection of prints I wanted to create an awareness of the lives affected by this violence.