I started my graduate studies in Anthropology at the School of Science and
Technology, University of Coimbra, Portugal. The allure of the anthropological
rapidly became an obsession. I focused my work on the
anthropological readings of art and material culture. The
experience and the embodied knowledge of chronic disease also captivated
me through
the firsthand stories of its violence and victories. Ethnographic objects, artworks, artists, illness, pain and paint became the tangible matter
of my studies.
Sometimes our
projects follow the ramifications of unfortunate events. After
finishing my BA [Licenciatura] in anthropology, I continued my post-graduate
studies in sociology [MA], literally across the street, at the Centre for
Social Studies. Ironically, while “crossing this road” something else captured my thoughts,
entering, altering and completing my life and writings – CANCER!
My Mother’s left arm was
amputated after being consumed by a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Trying to comprehend the
shape and meaning of this event, I began to assemble an international list of
art projects where the mixture between cancer and art allowed me to
connect the multiple interests of my personal and academic story. My MA thesis
and my PhD project can be explained as an attempt to understand the experience
of illness and cancer. With the help of art and social science I’m trying to
find and give her a new arm. So you see, I’m still guided by my Mother’s hand.
