2013, Acrylic on canvas, 36"w x 72"h
Eu Nao Posso Falar Portugues translates to I Cannot Speak Portuguese. This seemingly simple declaration reflects my frustration regarding the reconciliation of Portuguese and Canadian culture. If language is an integral facet of culture, can I actively participate in my heritage? Two panels—a portrait and a painting of a symbol of Portuguese culture (a sailor’s knot)—emphasize my inability to completely comprehend the Portuguese identity I have inherited from my parents. One panel replaces the subject’s mouth and further illustrates my frustration at my ideological immobility. Eu Nao Posso Falar Portugues explores my frustration from being torn between loyalties.
A Daimler Company
