Mayara Ferrão’s Blueprint for Decolonial AI Imagery

I am a visual artist from Salvador, Bahia. I work across various linguistic genres, from illustration to painting and fine arts, as well as photography. I am deeply committed to constructing Black narratives, especially those led by Black and Indigenous women. I think that sums up who I am well. Everything is a majestic universe I propose through my artistic constructions.

My existence is defined by art. It might sound cliché, but I am a living example of a woman whose life was and continues to be transformed daily by choosing to live and create art. Art is what makes me pulse; it defines me and serves as my means to communicate my desires, fears, anxieties and everything that constitutes me. It occupies a precious place in my life. It is my instrument for existing, navigating the world and, in a way, mobilizing it.

I always loved drawing, painting, inventing characters and creating narratives. This playful storytelling has followed me since childhood and continues with me today. Fortunately, I had sensible parents who understood early on that art was something that made me feel good and helped me express my emotions. Even before I realized it, I was already an artist. I always said, ‘I want to be an artist!’ without understanding that I already was because being an artist is to think, feel and make art.

I am a woman of axé, a woman of faith, and I come from a very large family. Growing up on the outskirts and within a community deeply shaped my sense of collectivity. This collective perspective is central to how I think and position myself in the world. My work is a tool for collective construction; it stems from my desires but also looks towards others. I see so many people in Salvador who, like me, need to see themselves positively and feel represented. My work seeks to impact, contribute and transform the existence of others in some way. I believe that through art, we can create a more inclusive and dignified world for everyone. This sense of community is what brought me here and keeps me moving forward.