Rising Stars: Meet Jiacuy Roche

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jiacuy Roche

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Jiacuy Roche is a multi-talented Brazilian artist. She is a muralist, author, and screenwriter. Jiacuy’s artwork illustrates her Brazilian roots with her use of vibrant colors, shapes, and lines that create movement. Jiacuy was born in Salvador De Bahia, Brazil, the bosom land of Afro-Brazilian culture where slaves from the African continent left their soul legacy in martial arts through Capoeira; Brazil’s national cuisine, Feijoada, and dance, Samba. Jiacuy states, “Life is vastly different in the United States. Our Brazilian community of Denver lacks representation. There is a lack of education of how our African cultural influences are integrated in art, music, dance, food, and fashion apparel. As a Brazilian Indian woman, and artist, it is her desire to share Brazilian culture and its global influence. Jiacuy does this through art, with contemporary fine art drawings and paintings representing her heritage. She also exquisitely shows her creativity in her novel Twisted Closure that is in the process of becoming a feature film. In her novel she poetically describes the beauty of Brazil’s diversity. Here is a sample of her writing from the Twisted Closure novel. “She loves Brazil’s diversity and it was comforting for her to know that she was born in this country. The hues of whites, browns, and red undertones reminded her of ice cream flavors. Here was vanilla, chocolate, cookies and cream, chocolate chip cookie dough, buttered pecan, and even Neapolitan. Some people clearly had an edge to them, like Lyric herself, adding the nuts to top it all off. And you crealy had to be nuts to be exercising in this heat…”The story is about an Afro- Brazilian American artist, Liliana Santos who goes by the name Lyric. She tells poetic inspirational stories with a twist. Her masterpiece painting, Closure is missing. Lyric has to find her artwork without the help of her adoptive Caucasian parents because they always kept secrets from her. She travels to Brazil in search of her painting and during her journey she learns the controversy of political views, Prostitution is legal and abortion is illegal. The gangs and drugs controlling the streets but, enlightened with comedy and Brazil’s rich culture of music, dance, food, fashion, and art. An adventurous travel log filled with drama featuring, OG prostitute and crooked cop with action pact scenes. Twisted Closure will be in an upcoming movie. Jiacuy states, “I have learned during my screen writing that there are many stages to complete a long film and I find it very fascinating! This is my first script and a film production company voiced that my “story is great with a cool vision.” Jiacuy’s mission is to use her art as a tool of advocacy and create a platform. She wants to empower other Brazilian female artists of color.

Jiacuy Roche is a published author of five children’s books (Butterfly Queens, Baby Cakes, Guardian Angelo, I Am A Song of Seasons, and Hair Full of Jazz) available online, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, & Target and one Novel (Twisted Closure).

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
jiacuy faced some challenges at a young age. She was raised in an interracial family with a language barrier. Her adoptive Caucasian parents embraced her Brazilian ethnicity. When she went back to Brazil in her 20’s she remembered how hard it was for her to learn English. She also faced a language barrier in Brazil which mirrored her experiences. In her novel Twisted Closure, she describes how beautiful Portuguese sounded. Here is a sample of her eloquent writing from the Twisted Closure novel. “Her voice flowed like watercolor paints, as if she illustrated her verbal thoughts through different brush strokes. Her pronunciations were strong like acrylic and were speckled with Spanish and Italian dialect-which blended well like oil paints, because they were all Latin-based cousins. ”
Jiacuy Roche was born in an impoverished area in Salvador Bahia and abandoned. She was saved by a Catholic nun, Sister Dulce. Saint Irma Dulce is famously known for providing shelter, food, and medical care for the poor. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. When Jiacuy visited Brazil, she met in person Saint Irma Dulce’s niece and was told that Jiacuy is the only generation that came back to visit the orphanage/ hospital. Jiacuy states, “I am truly grateful to have a chance to live and experience a great life.” Thanks to Saint Irma Dulce and my adopted mom who flew to Brazil to adopt me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Entrepreneurship in Belize, Central America gave me an opportunity to coordinate the first ever Art Therapy exhibit which displayed students’ artwork and lead me to be featured in international T.V. and radio. I am also Founder of the Goodwill art program in Denver Colorado. I am also Founder of the Goodwill art program in Denver Colorado. I have two murals, Black Butterfly and Afro-Flower Lady displayed at the Stanley Marketplace. Afro-Flower Lady mural became very popular and it’s featured in various articles. I have a mural located at Children’s Hospital, Butterfly Magic. I facilitated the DAVA painters (Downtown Aurora Visual Arts) Jesus on Colfax: Fruit of the Spirit Mural. Jiacuy states, “My work shows multicultural traditions that is strong and diverse. I weave all these elements into my work. Together, intend for these visuals to celebrate stories from all walks of life unifying society through the commonality that is the human experience.” Jiacuy draws inspiration from the people met along her life journey, from Brazil to Washington D.C., Belize, and Colorado.
She is now a screen writer for an upcoming movie, based on my novel Twisted Closure.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
It is important to ground yourself first and find your strengths and happiness. Once you find your passion, skills, and interests…you can start working towards your goals. As I look back at my accomplishments, I tell myself with affirmation that I am not a product of poverty. I represent BAHIA and I am a proud Bahiana from Bahia- B-eautiful , A-mazing, H-ardworking, I-ntelligent, A-mbitious! BAHIA! Never underestimate your capabilities. You are a gem. You need to find that gift and utilize it! I hope that I continue to inspire others.

I want to thank many of my supporters and fans! Special thanks to Darrell Brown (Author) & Gio Toninelo (Producer/Director)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jiacuy