Megan Euker* – Artist Statement

I began my most recent paintings depicting various aspects of the Afro-Brazilian form of martial arts, capoeira, while finishing up a nine month Fulbright fellowship in Florence. The paintings are a result of my experiences studying and training in the sport during my stay in Italy. There are many different versions detailing the history of capoeira, but most agree that it was developed in Brazil by the slaves brought from Africa. Some say the slaves did capoeira as a way of conditioning their bodies for defense and rebellion by doing movements that could be disguised as dance. In the contemporary form, the fluid movements could still cause the sport to be mistaken for a dance; however, it is a martial art (though intentionally harming one's opponent is contrary to it's purpose). Capoeira combines martial arts with acrobatics, dance, and music. Apart from the physical demands of the sport, participants, or capoeiristas, must also sing and play instruments, know it's history, and learn some Portuguese.

The first thing I was told by my instructor was that no matter what movement you're doing, whether you're upside down or in the air or doing back flips, always look opponents in the eyes to anticipate their movements. This immediately struck me as a beautiful metaphor for painting. Both capoeira and painting rely on sight above all else and the acute observation of one's surroundings. The physicality of capoeira also appealed very much to me. I have participated in martial arts and various athletics my entire life, but capoeira was the most physical sport I have ever done. I wanted to transfer the fluidity, energy, and strength that I use in capoeira to my paintings. I felt that if I could paint with the same intensity that I experienced in capoeira, I could create work that conveys a powerful presence. I was attracted to the ritualistic, spiritual, and primitive qualities of capoeira, and I was visually drawn to the interaction between two bodies creating shapes and lines. Capoeiristas are artists. Their actions are based on which movements look most beautiful. It is a lifestyle and an art.

An important ritual in the sport is the yearly batizado. The batizado, or baptism, is an often multi-day ceremony in which students are awarded new belts by the masters. It highlights performances consisting of traditional dances. In one scenario, the men wear straw hats and pretend to row a boat, praying to catch fish, while women circle around them passing out imaginary fruit from wicker baskets. There is much positive and powerful energy, with music and intense physical activity.

I am intrigued not only by the sport itself, but also by the fact that people are completely interested in their culture which involves embracing this history of singing, dancing, and physical activity. Capoeira is void of technology in every sense (all of the music is live, the instruments are very basic, etc.), and there is something really great about the continuation of the sport, ceremonies, dances, and tribal-like performances in this technological age. Capoeira ties an entire culture together. One person could randomly start singing a song and everyone else in the room will know the words and sing with them...and then people will start bringing out instruments....

**My name in capoeira is Guerrera, or warrior.

Artist Statement 8-27-09