Melanie Cervantes
12″ x 18″, 5 layer hand pulled screen print, Cougar 270gsm/100lb Digital Smooth archival paper, April 2022,San Leandro, CA July 2022
Edition of 75
After a series of unfortunate events, starting with a cancer diagnosis on my 40th birthday, I spent time reflecting on the most painful and agonizing feelings I experienced during these difficult times. I came to realize that my suffering during these challenges is rooted in the traumatic events I lived as a child. This led me to think about the harms that young people from historically oppressed communities often endure in the most formative moments of our lives.
This series of prints emerges as a counterweight to the cruelty that kids endure on the daily and instead offers affirmation and celebration.
In this piece a young boy embraces his vulnerability, sensitivity and tender heart as a strength.