June 6 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: Priscila Soares’ new art show depicts the power in hearing loss

It’s been seven years since Priscila Soares put paintbrush to paper and began illustrating her experience with hearing loss. After decades of frustration, finding this form of self-expression proved a cathartic outlet for Soares.

Through the process of sculpting and painting what Soares describes as an “invisible disability,” she embraced her hearing difference. Soares’ journey, in turn, gave others with similar experiences a chance to see themselves represented through her art.

On June 9, Soares’ first solo family-friendly art show will invite the community for an engaging and immersive opening reception. A unique range of pieces that dwell on hearing loss will be paired with hands-on activities that depict the visual effects of sound.

“There were a lot of choices in my life that were related to not feeling comfortable with having a hearing loss,” said Soares. “That shaped the course I was taking.”

“When I wanted to portray that feeling of finally accepting myself and going for it, I was really embracing art for the first time at the age of 40.”

Drawing on her own experience, and also from submitted stories, Soares’ exhibit, “My Lucky Ears,” is a reflection on her artistic and personal journey so far. The event will also celebrate the launch of children’s book “Cesaria Feels the Beat” featuring Soares’ illustrations.

The third book that Soares has illustrated, this picture book is the first to sign with a publisher. The story follows a deaf girl who stands up for herself and takes off her shoes while dancing at her Carnival performance so she can feel the music through her bare feet.

Soares’ work in this new book will join previous illustrations for a comprehensive view of her work.

“I’ve never had a place where I put almost every work that I’ve done in the past seven years,” said Soares. While some pieces have appeared prior online and in other shows, a few pieces, like the suspended centerpiece Soares calls “Machella,” will be making their debut.

Earning its name from its paper mache construction, Machella was a way for Soares to depict hearing loss as a power rather than a disability. Instead of extending from her back, Machella’s angel-like wings come from her ears.

“I wanted the feeling of how I was embracing it to be in it. I wanted it to be liberating,” said Soares. “She’s flying where she wants to go no matter what.”

Wings have become a signature for Soares who says she is happy to be known as “the one who does the wings coming out of the ears.” The motif often shows up differently across different pieces, each one complementing another.

The gallery will also take on an active studio atmosphere as viewers are encouraged to pick up their own brushes and paint on a communal canvas.

“The idea is that people come in and they keep on painting over that painting so it keeps on transforming itself and gets filled,” said Soares. The inspiration can come from a conversation, something in the gallery or something they saw outside.

Soares also obtained an oobleck machine to create a visual display of sound frequencies. The visual phenomenon consists of a cornstarch and water mixture on top of a speaker. When the dial is turned, the mixture begins to dance according to the frequency.

Another experiment will demonstrate how playing different notes on a keyboard can manipulate patterns in colored water. Just outside the gallery, attendees can enjoy the DJ set and take a tour through the Neverwas Haul led by Obtainium Works.

Creating a family-friendly aspect for this exhibit was a priority for Soares who quoted a friend when she said, “you have to start from the beginning.”

“When kids come and they can see something that they didn’t know existed and now they accept it, that’s important,” said Soares.

Drawing from her own experience hearing others’ stories, Soares said, “one of the things that I learned the most is how varied our experiences are.”

“You really cannot assume that every single deaf person uses sign language. You cannot assume that we are all able to read lips.” Many people assume that I like to hide my hearing aid, Soares added.

“Part of the work is breaking these taboos,” said Soares. “We need to educate each other on things all the time so we have a more open mind.”

The opening reception is on June 8 from 12-4 p.m. at the Mare Island Art Studios, 10 Pintado St., Vallejo.