Isabella Mellado: Embracing Sin in Mystical Paintings
Sin, a concept deeply embedded in Catholic guilt, takes on a new meaning in the mystical paintings of Isabella Mellado. The Chicago-based artist, originally from Puerto Rico, challenges traditional notions of sin and explores desire and transgressions in her vivid oil paintings. Her recent exhibition, “7 Pecados,” delves into the seven deadly sins, presenting them not as moral wrongs but as essential aspects of human experience.
Mellado’s work draws inspiration from tarot and the occult, as well as from her own identity as a queer Latina. Through her art, she questions societal norms and religious strictures, inviting viewers to embrace laziness, gluttony, and lust as empowering forces. Her paintings reject shame and instead celebrate pleasure and self-empowerment.
The artist often starts her creative process by staging elaborate photoshoots, where she and her collaborators don mystical attire and engage in ritualistic activities. These images serve as the foundation for her large-scale paintings, which exude a dreamy and mysterious quality. Each piece invites viewers into an alternative space where identities are fluid, and behaviors are liberated from societal constraints.
In previous projects like “Te Dire Quien Eres,” Mellado explored themes of queerness and monstrosity, challenging the notion of shame and celebrating intimate relationships and sacred spaces. Her work is a celebration of diversity and empowerment, offering a new perspective on identity and self-expression.
To experience more of Isabella Mellado’s captivating artwork, visit her website and follow her on Instagram. Her paintings are a testament to the beauty of embracing desires and transgressions, inviting viewers to rethink traditional notions of sin and guilt.
