Artist-In Residence: Iva Brito

About the Artist

Artist, Poet, Actress, Educator, Activist, Iva Brito, (also known as Iva B.) is a Cape Verdean-American visual and performing artist. As a native of Cabo Verde, Iva channels her nostalgic love of her birthplace, tapping into her culturally diverse identity, to call for justice, unity, and liberation through her artistic works. She is the author of Essence, Tones, Whispers, and Shouts, a collection of poetry in which she draws on nature, past experiences, and her vision for an illuminated and inclusive world. She has performed her pieces at universities, concerts, spoken word showcases, community outreach and socio-political awareness events at various locations throughout the nation. Iva is a featured artist in the Women Anthem “Take Back the Power” music video, a partnership with the National Parks, celebrating the centennial anniversary of women’s right to vote in 2020. Iva has been awarded the prestigious Artist-in-Residence placement, where she will focus on New Bedford's unique ancestral connections to people of color and the Cape Verdean immigrant experience. Iva currently showcases both her painting and poetry at the Whaling Museum exhibit in honor of the late Judge George Leighton - open from 6/28/19 to 7/29/19. Outside of being an artist, Iva is a licensed social worker and educator. Currently, she serves as the Director of Bristol Community College Women's Center and adjunct faculty for the college. Iva holds a Master’s of Science degree from UMASS - Boston and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Expressive Arts from Salve Regina University, as part of their Holistic Counseling Program. Experience her works in person! For press inquiries, speaking engagements or performance opportunities, please contact her publicist, Mery Vieira at [phone] or via [e-mail]. More information about Iva can be found on her website Iva.brito.com or Ivab5 on FB & Instagram.

 

Artist’s Statement:

My work takes a critical look at the intersectionality of cultural, social and political issues. It looks at the challenges and triumphs we share, especially those of African descent. Similar to the diversity in landscape, visual aesthetics and dialects of the language of the ten islands that make up the Cabo Verde Islands, where I was born, my work has a variety in texture and feel. It celebrates history, language, culture and its impact on our world. While sharing some of the challenges we face as women, as immigrants, as trans nationalist, etc.

Like the waters surrounding the islands, one theme that runs throughout my work is social justice and activism. At its peaks, it reflects the rugged terrain of inequalities of our societies past and present and the need for critical ideology regarding the issues. In its tranquil valleys, it provides opportunities to empower and unite. Always in line with the power of faith, it seeks to create agents of change that are continuously transforming with the tropical winds of expressive thought and evolving towards love.