La Santeria de Mama I (2023-2024)

Keywords: Make-believe, Postcolonial Specters, Rituals artefact , Parafiction, and Narratology

Geraldo Dos Santos, penchant for narrative intricacies, presents "La Santeria de Mama" as a profound act of cultural decolonization. Focusing on the symbolic essence of Amaryllis flowers, by meticulously dismantles hierarchical systems associated with these blooms, raising provocative questions about the multi-emigrated identity.

"La Santeria de Mama" is a installacion of stories, each petal a chapter in the evolving saga of cultural resilience. The Amaryllis, chosen for its tenacious spirit, becomes a potent metaphor for the enduring strength of cultural identities from latina america in the face of colonization. Dos Santos intentionally departs from conventional narratives, aiming to disrupt and dismantle oppressive systems entrenched in the fabric of multicultural identities.

The central motif, the Amaryllis, is a carefully chosen symbol. Its vibrant hues represent the diverse cultural elements interwoven within a multi-emigrated identity. He challenges the traditional hierarchy assigned to flowers, particularly the exoticization of certain blooms, and reclaims agency over the narrative. "La Santeria de Mama" serves as an anthem of defiance against systems that dictate cultural prominence.

Dos Santos skillfully navigates the labyrinth of identity, unraveling threads of cultural hegemony that historically marginalized the experiences of the multi-emigrated. Through meticulous craftsmanship, the installation transforms into a sanctuary where narratives of displacement, resilience, and cultural hybridity converge. Each petal bears witness to the complex journey of migration, inviting viewers into a visual dialogue with the unspoken stories embedded within.

The heretical system interrogated by the atworks extends beyond the confines of art; it permeates the broader socio-cultural landscape. He challenges the notion that identity can be neatly categorized and prescribed, urging a reevaluation of inherent hierarchies within cultural narratives. "La Santeria de Mama" mirrors the complexities of multicultural identities, fostering introspection on societal structures that perpetuate hierarchies and exclusions.

 

Dos Santos's installation transcends traditional art boundaries, functioning as a catalyst for cultural decolonization. The vibrant colors of the sculptures disrupt monochrome narratives prevalent in identity discussions, opening a space for nuanced understanding of the multi-emigrated identity's layered nature.

As viewers immerse themselves in "La Santeria de Mama," they confront uncomfortable truths embedded in migration narratives by dismantles preconceived notions, prompting a collective reexamination of societal structures perpetuating hierarchies based on origin and heritage.

Coping mechanism N9 – 38 x 25 x 18 cm glazed ceramic.

Coping mechanism N11 – 75 x 50 x 40cm glazed ceramic.

Coping mechanism N10 – 55 x 40 x 40cm glazed ceramic.

 

Persuasion by tears, N1 - 12 x 8 x 5cm  glazed ceramic.

Coping mechanism N13 – 85 x 30 x 30cm glazed ceramic.

 

Persuasion by tears, N2 - 12 x 8 x 5cm  glazed ceramic.

Persuasion by tears, N3 - 16 x 8 x 5cm  glazed ceramic.

Coping mechanism N14– 40 x 40 x 40cm glazed ceramic.