Omayra Rivera-Filardi
2024 MSAA Art Showcase Entrants
View this month’s Artist of the Month
Previous: Winifred Richardson | Next: Michelle Román-Lopez
Omayra Rivera-Filardi – Bridgeport, CT
In 2010, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, my second auto-immune illness while six months pregnant. As an artist and Visual Arts teacher, I immediately noticed that I could not see red, or the saturation of color from my right eye. It clearly wasn’t a relapse from Myasthenia Gravis.
Not only was my right eye affected, but I also had little control of my right hand which had slight tremor like movements. With treatment, my vision was restored but illustrating became difficult. The control lost in my hand forced me to re-direct my approach to creating my artwork. I decided to make art that required greater control and handling over the medium, challenging myself to delve deeper within, creating artwork on a higher, more technical level. I have experienced several relapses, each causing frustration and physical pain. I have chosen to fight and use the pain to grow and excel.
Anguish
Sketchbook Diary #72
Sketchbook Diary #77
