Isabel Zuluaga Mesa, known by the name of artist Zumbambico, is a Colombian illustrator whose design titled Inflatable (translated into Power) appears on the cover of the SRHM OPEN Issue 2022.
The following text was written by Zumbambico.
What was the inspiration behind the picture Inflatable;
What inspired Inflatable They are the women and our very rich inner and natural worlds. We have chosen a warm color palette with the aim of representing our energy, instincts and vitality.
I usually work with nature elements to express my ideas and in this particular case, the suns in the image symbolize our power and the light that SRHM magazine brings to talk about sexual and reproductive health and rights. In addition, the moons, blood and water aim to depict the circular nature of our bodies and lives – it is a human means that we are constantly experiencing transformation, phases and movement.
It was important for me to express the importance of actively participating in women’s rights and health conversations. This is represented by the silhouette of a body and the profiles (faces) spread through the canvas. The body is rooted and stable as a symbol of our resistance and intense voice throughout history.
How do you talk about sexual and reproductive health and rights in your art?
As a Colombian woman, I was born and raised in a society where women’s bodies are extremely objectified. Growing up, I was fueled by the message that women’s appearances are for men to observe, rate and discuss. Part of this culture comes from the Narco carts that emerged in the 80s and 90s and promoted the idea of women as trophies to be used and violated by men. This idea remains deeply rooted in our society and consequently, plastic surgery is widespread in Colombia, which only enhances the pressure on women to adhere to specific and often impossible beauty patterns.
Through my art, which is autobiographical, I focus on the depiction of free and unexpected bodies. I design universes where women are queens of their own areas and where we are free to be the same. My designs have women who are against all the ideals of beauty and proudly show their rolls, stretch marks, signs, wrinkles and all the sensuality that resides in their own way. Women who are not afraid to take space and hear. Unconsciously, these plans have become my way to heal from all the aesthetic pressures I have suffered and an invitation for other women to do the same.
I think of my work as a “voice revolutionary” in a society that still carries a colonial heritage, which is reflected in dominance above our bodies (territories) through the male look and high rates of sexual abuse and violence against women and women Children. We are constantly told to be silent and to shrink both our bodies and our emotions to be accepted.
Nevertheless, I believe that we are beginning to release ourselves from these very painful chains and works of art has a huge role in converting our reality and speaking against oppression and all kinds of injustices. Art is unique in its ability to convey loud messages and allows people to imagine a different world.
In what other projects are you working at the moment?
I am currently working on a collection of illustrations with title Amoulas (translated into ancestors). This collection pays tribute to the older and powerful women who have opened my path. Before designing every portrait, I research the women I want to design and more often, I found that they had suffered a lot of pain in their whole lives and in many cases abuse.
My goal is to portray them all over their glory and honor them as the rulers of their lives. These women have overcome very difficult and bitter situations and have a lot to teach us. I look at their pain as collective pain and sharing their stories, I hope that it allows for the present and future generations to continue their course and also begin to heal.
In other words, in addition to expressing my admiration for these very durable women, my intention is to share (free) stories, especially the parts of their lives that had to be hidden and silent because culture then said it . No more.
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Portfolio: zumbambicoarte.com
Instagram: @zumbambico
