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The visual artist has already worked with Fafá de Belém, Anitta, Lexa, Blogueirinha, and other personalities.
Zaia Angelo’s artistic journey has always been intertwined with activism. From a young age, the artist noticed the differences between people and began depicting them in her works, even before fully understanding the impact of her art. "It's always been a part of me. Since I was little, I noticed that people were different from each other, and I reflect that in my works."
At the time, the word ‘representation’ wasn’t yet a trend, so I had no idea of the power my works held," Zaia comments. As a trans woman, Zaia finds in LGBTQIA+ themes an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Her art aims to give visibility and prominence to the trans community, challenging the marginalization imposed by society. "My works portray trans people far from marginalization and the suffering that cis people expect from our experiences, instead showing them in positions of power, places of achievement, and prosperity," says the artist.
However, the path has not been easy. Zaia has faced censorship and resistance when addressing issues considered controversial, such as the portrayal of Adam and Eve as trans women in her piece "The Origin." The work was censored twice in exhibitions in Brazil but found recognition in Portugal, where it was nominated for an international award. Reflecting on this duality, Zaia says: "I’ve always had to deal with people’s ignorance and the strength of Brazilian conservatism. My work as a visual artist will never cease to be made, and I will never change my themes to please a hypocritical cisnormativity."
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For Zaia, art holds a transformative power, capable of changing perspectives and inciting reflection. "Art has the power to move people, whether through music, drawing, cinema, or theater. If used correctly, it can raise awareness," she emphasizes.
She believes that young artists play a crucial role in the fight for social and political change, especially in times of technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence. "Young artists need to be more and more authentic and realize the power that art has to give voice to what we believe in," she highlights.
When it comes to criticism, Zaia remains open to it, as long as it’s constructive. However, she notes that many of the criticisms she receives are often driven by prejudice. "I’ve been heavily targeted for portraying trans people in positions of power, being happy, fulfilled, and prosperous. Society is still very uncomfortable seeing trans people succeeding far from marginalization," she laments.
Zaia Angelo's artistic future promises new fusions and experiments. Her next project will combine literature and visual arts, with works accompanied by poems that complement her visual creations. "I’m working on continuing my exhibition ‘Transgression,’ but this time the works will be accompanied by poems," she reveals, eager to explore new forms of artistic expression and continue using her art as a tool for activism and transformation.
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