The Legend of Fulozinha, 2010

A series of 12 large format photographs. 8"x 10" black and white negatives scanned and printed on archival pigment paper, 40"x 50" edition of 5.

The enduring resonance of mythological narratives in contemporary non-Western societies is a testament to their undiminished cultural significance. One such narrative is "The Legend of Comadre Fulozinha," a tale steeped in gendered and political undertones that centers around a spectral woman who roams the forests, safeguarding animals from the predations of hunters. Conceived as both an environmental guardian and a complex cultural cipher, Comadre Fulozinha's presence is often heralded by a distinctive whistle. Intriguingly, the narrative introduces a paradox: the closer the whistle sounds, the farther away she is, thereby imbuing her character with an enigmatic, fear-inducing power. She emerges as a matriarchal figure, a protector whose existence is characterized by nomadism, transience, and perpetual wandering.

This work comprises a series of photographs capturing the diverse landscapes—ranging from fenced areas to marshlands—that are said to bear the imprint of her transient presence. Each space, while unique in its physical attributes, is unified by the palpable influence exerted by Comadre Fulozinha, serving as a testament to her enduring cultural and environmental impact.

Joseph Campbell, in his seminal work "The Hero with a Thousand Faces," eloquently articulates the universal potency of myth: "Throughout the inhabited world, in all times and under every circumstance, the myths of man have flourished; and they have been the living inspiration of whatever else may have appeared out of the activities of the human body and mind. It would not be too much to say that myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human cultural manifestation. Religions, philosophies, arts, the social forms of primitive and historic man, prime discoveries in science and technology, the very dreams that blister sleep, boil up from the basic, magic ring of myth."

Incorporating Campbell's insights, this work serves as an exploration of how the myth of Comadre Fulozinha, like countless myths before it, functions as a conduit for the "inexhaustible energies of the cosmos," channeling them into tangible cultural forms and practices. It invites viewers to contemplate the intricate interplay between myth, space, and identity while also challenging them to consider the enduring relevance of such narratives in shaping our collective understanding of the world.

Comadre Fulozinha - The Keeper of the Forests (translation from a newspaper clip) 

“Comadre Fulozinha, as the hunters tell it, is a fantastic and mysterious girl who lives in the forest, always ready to defend animals and plants against the advances of the predators of nature. She is a half-breed, with long blond hair covering her body. She is a walker, playful and lives in the woods. Hunters tell of her existence in the forests of Mato Grande, including in the southern part of São Miguel do Gostoso. She can disappear without leaving a trace and loves to plait horses’ tails. She protects the wildlife from the hunters, disorientating them with her whistles and making them get lost in the woods. She loves to receive gifts such as oatmeal, confectionery and tobacco."