2021
Umbrella Art Center Artcubator Residency - Anomia
Anomia is a medical condition in which sufferers are unable to name objects or to recognize written or spoken names of objects. It can be caused by severe trauma.
Since moving to America Csekö has experienced a double feed of information from her two homes in Brazil and North America. Frequent communication with family and friends living in Brazil offers a vivid portrayal of the current political scenario overseas, while she has experienced the United States political landscape first-hand for the past 10 years.
Cseko witnessed both countries spiral into an overwhelming narrative of misinformation, and gross mismanagement, that cost an insurmountable amount of lives, as a pandemic worsened the already dire situation of pervasive corruption, as well as deep-set social and racial inequalities.
A sense of helplessness and loss of words ensued. As both countries failed to care for their populations denying basic human dignity and rights to their people.
The national symbol held within the flag became detached from its meaning. What does it mean to be a nation? What does it mean to be a citizen? What does it mean to participate in the quotidian political life of a country? What is justice and whom does it serve? Do we feel safe?
In early 2021 Csekö immersed herself in the process of deconstructing the Brazilian and North American national symbols, in hopes that by reconstructing them, new meanings would emerge.
Paintings
This series started early in my BFA at the Federal University of Rio, probably around 2004, when I was about to graduate. The course was very hands-on and the theory was not addressing the issues I was interested in, so I did my own readings. I was fascinated by Philosophy and Poetry, and was eager to share these ideas with my fellow art majors (and anyone really). How to do that without tapping someone on the shoulder and reading to them? I decided to make paintings that would share the work of these authors in monumental scale. Using bright colors to lure people’s attention. My desire was to create murals from the very beginning, but making public art does not come easy, so I started making paintings hoping that they would lead to public spaces. I wanted to take literary works that might be too obscure/controversial, or perhaps too dissonant to mainstream consumerist culture to the most public settings possible. Another reason to use text is a desire to let the viewers’ imagination construct their own imagery. I provide ideas, and they can illustrate them and hopefully bring them to fruition within their own internal dialog.
STONYBROOK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MURAL IN JAMAICA PLAIN BUILDING 2022
Csekö’s design titled A Message to the Future will be located on the east side of the building.
The piece is a collaboration with Eddie Maisonet, who created the text for the three panels. Eddie Maisonet is an interdisciplinary storyteller, teaching artist, and actor. He is born and bred from Boston with his roots lovingly planted in Jamaica Plain. In 2017 and 2019, he was awarded artist residencies with The Theater Offensive. His 2019 collaborative project, Narratives of Home, was a response to the question of the unique ways gentrification impacts our communities.
The three panels speak of memory, community leadership, and social engagement. The first one features a homage to Julia Martin, an Elder JP Community Organizer. Ms. Martin learned community activism first-hand in the 1960s with other “Mothers for Action” who took on causes from stopping I-95 to fighting addiction. Today her name graces the Julia Martin House, JPNDC’s building in Jackson Square where low-income seniors live independently in a loving, supportive environment. The second panel features work by Eddie himself, responding to and vowing to give continuity to Ms. Martin’s legacy. Eddie has also brought "Eroc" Arroyo-Montano to join the conversation, whose insight composes the third panel. Eroc is an educator, artist, facilitator, organizer, youth worker, community activist, and a proud father of three. Known for his leadership in a range of initiatives from youth program development and intersectional movements building, he has shown his dedication to racial, gender, economic and environmental justice.
This collaboration is moved by the desire to inspire future generations to engage in the continuous fight for human rights and social justice and witness a brighter future, where no one will dare say “it has always been this way” to justify the unthinkable.
Somerville Arts Council Visual Arts Fellowship - Community Benefit Project
Supported by the Somerville Arts Council and created in partnership with the Somerville Homeless Coalition.
The site of this mural is a former business in East Somerville that is due to be torn down. During winter 2020 a homeless person broke into the shuttered property and tragically passed away due to exposure. This mural was created with the input and insight of the Somerville Homeless Coalition to bring awareness to the hardships endured by the houseless population that lives in our city. The work done by SHC is invaluable, such as providing essential clothing, personal hygiene items, food supplies, and shelter in moments of crisis, especially during the cold winter months of New England. The larger goal of this organization is to work closely with the houseless population to find personalized long-term and stable housing opportunities that meet the needs and particularities of each individual living in the streets of Somerville.
It is paramount to mention the tireless work of our Somerville Arts Council in supporting our creative community during the global pandemic.. Since March 2020, the SAC has been a beacon and a haven for creatives, serving as a hub of resources and information.
Photos by Galia Traub
This program is supported in part by the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Please visit the Somerville Homeless Coalition website and support their work.
