Artist Statement

My piece, Revolution, was inspired by the rise of Americanism and its fears about foreign language. Particularly in Southeast Louisiana, French was banned from being spoken within schools up until the late 1970s. This was to promote English as the dominant language and discourage native French speakers from attending school. This ban has had a trickling effect on later generations, forcing language, tradition, and culture to be lost over time. The contrasting colors of red and black represent danger, power, passion, death, and rebellion. The young woman standing on a cactus waving a fan represents the younger generations being affected and hurt the most, yet still hopeful. 

Biography

Shelbey Leco is a 30-year-old native New Orleanian and mixed media artist. Her style was heavily influenced by her grandmother growing up. As a child, when spending time with her grandmother, Leco enjoyed coloring in giant coloring books. Her grandmother soon realized that Leco went through art supplies rather quickly. So, her grandmother taught her the art of Zentangle, by creating various patterns and shapes within negative spaces. Over time, Leco’s work developed into mixed media, however repetition and pattern work remain present in her work today.