We had the good fortune of connecting with Dimelza Broche and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dimelza, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am originally from Cuba and I lived there till I was 16 years old. I have brittle bones disease or OI and I have been a wheelchair user since a young age. Because of the limitations my country faces to provide more options for differently-abled people it was always a challenge for my parents to make a normal life for me. They are wonderful people and always sacrificed themselves so that I could have what any child growing up needs. Both my parents are incredibly hardworking people which is something that has always helped me growing up as a person and as an artist. I have an MFA and years of art training thanks to how my parents raised me to always give my 100% on my work and my believes. It is that constant support that has definitely impacted who I am today. It has influenced why I make art and the subject matter of my work. And though we faced many hardships through the years I am extremely thankful and will never trade my upbringing because it shaped me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a painter who also makes sculptural installations. I paint uncanny worlds that represent my memory palace as a result of my physical limitations. My sculptures, on the other hand, are a direct commentary on perception and representation of the differently-abled body. My sculptures are made out of dry polyester which I felt into a three-dimensional object. These felted pieces are a reproduction of my body which then I adorn by using beads and other fabrics to enhance the beauty of a body that our society today does not consider normal or beautiful. To get to this point in my career as an emerging artist has taken me more than a decade of almost continuous education. I started my art training at the Romanach Academy of art in Cuba when I was 15 years old. Once I came to the States I continued my studies in art until I obtained an MFA from the University of Georgia almost 15 years later. All these years of school were not easy because of the language barrier at first, later because college can be expensive and I had to work hard applying to scholarships and grants in order to not bring financial strain to my parents and myself. During those years of studying, I found a great community of artists whom I consider family. They give unconditional support and this has obviously humbled me to considered myself part of a group that cares for each other. With these friends, I have learned to be kind to myself and others in the community. I have learned the value of acceptance and that you can help each other to be successful in what you love to do.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
With a selection of seven amazing Museum, I would take my art friends and visit each one of them.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents who have always been there for me and whom I am extremely thankful for all their love and care.

Website: https://dimelzabroche.wixsite.com/fineart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dimelzabroche/

Image Credits
Stephanie Sutton, Shawn Campbell, Humberto De La Cruz.

Nominate someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.