By EduardoMorales, Ph.D.
Brazilian graphic and artistic designer Wilson Ferreira, M.F.A. was born in the historic and beautiful city of Muqui in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Currently 39 years old, he is a very creative person by nature and curious in essence. A multidisciplinary artist, Wilson has a Master’s degree in the visual arts and a specialization in product design from the Marangoni Institute in Milan, Italy. His Bachelor’s degree is in communication studies with an emphasis in publicity and advertising. To create his works, he employs both digital and analog technologies. During his childhood his fascination in art started when he frequented folklore festivals in his native town while experimenting with his mother’s sewing workshop. As a graphic designer he developed brands, prints, and packaging and became an art director in photography. He created products that included decorating images for fashion with a cultural visual identity for cultural products and for the creative economy sector. In 2013 he inaugurated his visual arts studio where he develops art projects for architectural offices, home decoration stores, and large decoration exhibitions in several cities throughout Brazil and abroad. His approach is to integrate art and culture in a democratic and accessible manner. What drives his work is the constant search for aesthetics to communicate his final product. With his new stage in life while living in the United States he looks for opportunities that complement his interest and training like the work he performed when he was in Brazil.
His motivation for involvement in Latinx LGBTQ+ issues stem from his belief in equality and justice for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or cultural background. He believes that it is crucial to raise awareness and advocate for the rights and well-being of Latinx members of the LGBTQ+ community, who often face unique challenges and barriers due to their intersecting identities. By working towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society, he hopes to make a positive impact through his work in the lives of those who are marginalized and to promote a world where everyone is free to be their authentic selves.
Wilson finds several important issues for Latinx LGBTQ+ persons. Some issues he believes that are important for Latinx LGBTQ+ persons include: 1) Representation and visibility which is crucial for Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals since they need to have their voices heard and their experiences represented in media, politics, and other forms of public discourse. 2) Health care for Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals who often face barriers in accessing adequate health care, including language and cultural barriers, lack of insurance, and stigma related to their sexual orientation or gender identity. 3) Employment for Latinx LGBTQ+ persons who as a vulnerable group are often subjected to discrimination, violence, and poverty, and may face additional challenges related to immigration status or language barriers. 4) Marriage equality and family acceptance since Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals face challenges in forming and sustaining loving and supportive relationships and families, including the legal recognition of same-sex relationships while often being rejected by their family members. Finally, 5) Employment discrimination since Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination in the workplace based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or cultural background. By working to address these challenges while promoting equality and justice for Latinx LGBTQ+ persons, Wilson hopes to help create a world that is free to live openly and authentically.
In response to a call for an artist to create the San Francisco Pulse Memorial, Wilson was selected. He is the first Brazilian artist to create a memorial for the city and county of San Francisco. Wilson was able to incorporate his over 20 years of experience to create the San Francisco Pulse Memorial that was funded by the S.F. Board of Supervisors and is currently located on the second-floor lobby of the SF LGBT Center. On the evening of Wednesday, December 7, 2022, there was a formal official unveiling of the S.F Pulse Memorial at the SF LGBT Center in recognition of the largest LGBTQ+ massacre in U.S. history. Besides having his independent business, Wilson is the website and social media coordinator for AGUILAS, an HIV prevention and workforce development program for Latinx LGBTQ+ persons located in the SF LGBT Center. At AGUILAS he manages the agency’s website and social communications while creating the artistic presentations for its social and program events. You are welcomed to see this historic SF Pulse Memorial at the SF LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street, S.F., CA during its regular operating hours.
