Art inspired by nature.
Ana Mendina is a fine artist born in the south of Brazil and raised in the Amazon (Roraima). The love for nature and indigenous cultures serves as a source of inspiration for her artwork and has led her to beautiful places and amazing people. She holds a deep connection to the Yanomami people, who named her Mirena (mirror) and showed her the meanings of the forest's family.
During her time in New Zealand, Ana gained respect for the Maori Whakairo and the Taongas, which she received from the Kahukura whānāu. They even named a little girl Mirena. Today, Ana is a mother to a little girl called Moana, the greatest gift Aotearoa could ever give to her.
Exploring the Intersection of Art and Indigenous Culture in the Amazon and Beyond with Ana Mendina's Inspirational Journey.
Can you tell us more about your childhood and how growing up in the Amazon and the South of Brazil has influenced your art?
I was only a baby when we moved from the south of Brazil to Roraima in the very north of the Amazon. We lived in the city, but I was surrounded by nature and grew up listening to the Amazon Folklore stories that always filled my imagination with curiosity. When I was 12 years old, I overheard a conversation about Gold Mining and how much destruction it was causing to the Yanomami people and the forest. It was the first time I acknowledged them.
How did your relationship with the Yanomami people develop and what role do they play in your artistic inspiration?
Sometimes we need to be away from home to perceive the beauty of it." When I was eighteen, I went on a holiday to Australia and got to know the art of their indigenous people, and I remember being impressed by how the country embraced the indigenous art and displayed it so proudly. It made me wonder about the wonders of indigenous people from my country. Roraima is home to more than 12 ethnic indigenous groups, including the Yanomami, who live deep in the Amazon Forest. In 2009 I met Davi Kopenawa, shaman and spokesman of the Yanomami people. Since then, I've become a passionate partner in this fight to protect the forest and its people.
Can you describe the process of creating your indigenous art and how you incorporate your love for nature and indigenous cultures into your pieces?
The Yanomami name I was gifted means mirror. I think it's a way to reflect the wisdom and respect the knowledge received from them. My art is a form of celebration and contemplation of Nature. They are a source of beauty and inspiration and great nature teachers. I hope my love for the forest is reflected in my art creations and makes people think positively.
How has your experience living in New Zealand impacted your artwork and what inspirations have you drawn from the Maori Whakairo and Taongas?
After graduating in Fine Arts from Hungry Creek Art School (Puhoi-NZ), I got accepted into the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, where I studied Maori Whakairo (Art and Design) having Eugene Kara as a mentor. Through this journey, I made connections I hold dear to my heart. My story with the Yanomami got showcased on Maori TV. I became good friends with the Maori journalist that featured the story, Renee Kahukura, who later, together with her father from Mahia, gifted me my blessed Taonga.
Could you tell us about your involvement with the Tauranga library and how your art from the Amazon is being used for research?
It was through some articles written by Pete Morris (a Tauranga-based art writer). The subject registered on the Library Records is my Iconography Artwork and the connections with Indigenous Art. It is an honour for me as a Brazilian artist based in Tauranga.
What does it mean to you to be gifted a taonga from a Maori family, and how has it impacted your relationship with the Maori community?
I was gifted a PARAOA (sperm whale tooth). This Taonga represents the Bonds of Love, union, and celebration of life. It emphasizes the importance of oral teaching and histories passed from generation to generation. I made them a painting as their Taonga treasure too.
Can you describe some of the challenges you have faced as an artist showcasing indigenous art to people all over the world, and how have you overcome them?
Making sure to credit the culture, respect the source of inspiration, and honor the teachings. I believe in a friendship between cultures based on respect. It's easier to protect and appreciate something when we know something about it. Art can illustrate thoughts and feelings well and become a powerful tool to communicate a message.
"Art can illustrate thoughts and feelings well and become a powerful tool to communicate a message."
How has becoming a mother to a little girl called Moana impacted your art and the messages you hope to convey through it?
Becoming a mother has changed the way I think and feel about art. Having experienced the force of motherhood gave me a new meaning of what "Mother Nature" means to me. Sure a new art view was born together with it.
Can you tell us about your upcoming art exhibitions and what people can expect to see from your latest pieces?
I am taking my time to reinvent myself as an artist and co-create this new art phase where good ideas are taking place. I want to do a Papatuanuku-inspired series of paintings showing my love and gratitude for this land.
What advice would you give to young indigenous artists who are looking to express their culture through their artwork?
You are an inspiration! So share your cultural beauty with the planet and make more people become Nature defenders and lovers.
Ana Mendina's artwork is a true reflection of her deep connection to nature, indigenous cultures, and the world around us.
Her inspiring journey has touched the hearts of many and reminds us of the importance of environmental protection, cultural preservation, and interconnectivity.
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