1. Bio

Environmental artist, marine researcher and educator. Having grown up in landlocked São Paulo, she only discovered the ocean in her late teens, during a trip to Bahia. The experience moved her so deeply that it dictated the course of the rest of her life. All her work, as artist and researcher, is dedicated to denouncing the dangers faced by the marine ecosystem. Since 2018 she has been living and working in Miami, where the purpose of all her efforts is to denounce and raise awareness of the issues surrounding the decline of coral reefs. Her drawings, sculptures and interactive installations immediately bring home the reality of this phenomenon’s extensive scientific implications. She collaborates with universities, research institutes and schools. Her primary mission is to approach and engage the younger generations, to increase sensitivity and awareness on the subject. In addition to her dissemination activities, she is actively involved with the scientific community, participating in operations that aim to recover and restore portions of coral reef.

2. The power of dream

My greatest childhood dream was to make my own animations, by using art to create fantasy worlds. Then came my first dive, in a tiny underwater cave, with its colours, corals, fish, sparkling sand, harmony and infinite precision. There I changed forever. Although I did not become a professional animated filmmaker, I managed to fulfil my dream by creating intricate artistic worlds that connect people with the wonders of our marine ecosystems, promoting crucial discussions on environmental conservation. My dream has taken on a new form and meaning, where my passion for art and environmental advocacy intersect. I have not exactly become an animator, but I have found a unique path that allows me to share my creativity and contribute to a cause I care deeply about. It has not been not a linear path. It has evolved organically, gradually taking shape as I became more and more involved in marine conservation and art. A fusion of my passions. That is the power of a dream: it touches you, it changes you forever and pushes you to find new paths.

3. My journey into real beauty

Paradoxically, my work, my research, is a tangible experience of how, driven by the right motivation, we can always find beauty, even in situations that might at first seem hopeless. We can learn to use worry as a drive for creating change. Hope is the high road to beauty. With the right eyes, we are capable of finding beauty, even where light seems to be lacking. This is a lesson I learnt when studying the abyssal seabeds of the oceans, places the light does not reach and yet in which bizarre creatures thrive. It was here that I witnessed nature’s unique adaptations and the hypnotic bioluminescence of the organisms, in a world that few explore. In this seemingly hostile realm, I found a profound and unexpected beauty that challenged my preconceptions of what constitutes the splendour of nature. Similarly, starting from the drama of coral bleaching, acidification and ocean pollution, I seek to make works of beauty, with the aim of creating visceral reminders, capable of fostering collective empathy and inspiring conscious action. This is especially important for the generations to come, who are the custodians and our hope for our and the planet’s future.

4. What I’ve learned and won’t let go

I have learnt to see art as a powerful tool for change. When people experience feelings first-hand, they are more open to empathy. Making complex topics accessible is crucial if everyone is to take responsibility. Teaching is one of my gifts and, therefore, it is my responsibility. We must inspire the younger generations to understand the issues we face: teaching is one of the things that can give us a chance. Cultivating collective empathy: I do this on environmental issues, but it is a mindset that removes us from selfishness in all spheres. Participating, reflecting, acknowledging, learning to feel personally responsible. If we sow this mindset, the world we reap will automatically be fairer. As a woman, I have experienced first-hand what it means to make room for oneself in male-dominated fields such as art and science. My dream for all women is for us to have equal opportunities, recognition and respect in every aspect of our lives.