Líneas de Sangre (Bloodlines)

Opening Reception: Friday September 16th 6-9pm

Artist Talk: October 7, 7-8:30pm

Closing Reception: Oct 15th, 4-6pm

Regular Gallery Hours: Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays 12-5pm

@ NE SCULPTURE | Gallery Factory | 1720 NE Madison Street #14 Minneapolis, MN 55413

Lineas de Sangre (Bloodlines) is a culmination of works examining and reflecting on Melodee's experiences growing up as a “mixed” girl in Minnesota. Through her writings, recordings, research, and sketches Melodee has realized that creating work to represent her race was not enough. "

"To get the full picture of my complex story, I have to include a time when my parents experienced significant trauma in their lives that eventually affected my life. And, it’s an examination into the traditions and beliefs that collided together from two completely different cultures to shape who I am." — Melodee Strong.

Lineas de Sangre chronicles fragments of my lineage- stories about abandonment and loss, alcoholism and dependency, assimilation, and racism. It is by no means the story of all Latinos but rather a personal one within a vast collection of experiences by others from within the diverse culture of immigrants and first-generation Americans. It speaks about a journey navigating through a rural (mostly white American) upbringing while still trying to preserve my Peruvian heritage, and maintaining pride in who I am and where I come from. My Latinx experience is one about assimilation and the need for my mother to achieve the American dream while pursuing my own.   

Lineas de Sangre is a collection of works where I explored various materials and artistic techniques. It provided an opportunity for me to be influenced by not only the historical arts and crafts of Peru but also the contemporary applications of mixed media. I was able to begin exploring ways for me to fuse traditional with contemporary methods to reflect my heritage and indigenous roots. 

Lineas de Sangre is a solo show taking place during Hispanic Heritage Month, September 16 through October 15, 2022.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Melodee Strong received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Illustration and her Masters in Arts Education from the University of Minnesota. Her multifaceted practice as an artist allows her to create using a wide range of materials and techniques but her portfolio largely consists of children’s book illustrations, portraiture, community outreach projects, and murals giving attention to diverse cultures, feminism, and social justice. Melodee has participated in many gallery exhibitions, and book readings, as well as presented to an array of audiences throughout her career; including Target’s Children’s Book Festivals in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, New York, and Boston. Her illustrations have received awards from the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles and the Society of Illustrators New York. She received a Teacher’s Choice, Mom’s Choice, and Moonbeam Award for her illustrations in children’s books. Melodee has completed over 60 mural and large-scale projects in the Twin Cities and Jamaica. She is currently teaching visual art at Franklin Middle School in Minneapolis and is an adjunct instructor at MCAD, Augsburg, Metro State, and the U of M teaching courses in foundational art studies, K-12 Art Methods courses, and professional practice in illustration. She has recently earned The Minneapolis Educator Leadership Award from the Graves Foundation in 2020 and 2022.