Luciana Pretta

Luciana dos Santos – affectionately nicknamed Pretta (“black”) for the color of her hair – was born in 1980 in Vitória da Conquista (Bahia), Brazil.

She graduated in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, later completing her studies with a degree at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. She also attended courses at the School of Fine Arts at the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil.

Her work explores themes related to memory, identity, and the relationship between past and present, through an intense use of color and reclaimed materials. Her practice integrates natural and organic elements—such as pigments, essential oils, and raw cotton—highlighting her commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness.

She took part in numerous exhibitions, including: La materia conta, H.UNICA, Rome (2023); My Song, Davide Rossillo Gallery, Formia, Italy (2023); Genesis, Spirito e Materia, Embassy of Brazil, Rome (2022); Giochi di carta dall’Italia, Tsereteli Museum, Moscow, Russia (2021); Knowing the Earthquake, Galleria della Molinella, Faenza, Italy (2020); Kunst aus Italien, Kleinen Altstadt Gallery, Dachau, Germany (2018); Ad Usum Fabricae, Follow the Dome, Rome (2018); Abschied aus Dachau, Kleinen Altstadt Gallery, Dachau, Germany (2017); 2X2, KVD Association, Dachau, Germany (2017); Tropico, Auditorium Vittorio De Sica, Sora, Italy (2016).

She lives and works in Italy.