Understudy Art Incubator

In "Sanctum Amaru", I explore immortality and question the finality of death. Drawing from personal experiences with caregiving, grief and my Egyptian and Peruvian ancestry, the exhibition acts as a fictional tomb suspended in a mysterious realm between the living and the afterlife. Here in this sacred space, the dead can visit, comfort, and protect us, while the living can remember, speak to, and leave offerings for them. At its center is the benevolent Amaru, a serpent of Andean mythology who moves between realms, alongside other celestial beings who serve as guardians. Clay as a medium becomes an act of preservation and my feeble attempt at immortality, holding my fingerprints (and spirit) as evidence of a life and body that are impermanent.

"Origin Story" offers an afro-Futuristic reimagining of the Statue of Liberty, examining the historical, cultural and social forces that shaped one of the world’s most enduring symbols of freedom. Through fiber, collage, and sculptural elements, the multidisciplinary installation draws inspiration from the original concepts of French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and the visual culture of the era in which the monument was conceived.

"Rainbow (Desperate)" is an extroverted expression of longing—an urgent desire for love, togetherness, and shared experience. It reaches outward, seeking connection, collision, and a way to mark time alongside others. The rainbow motif emerges from Tucek’s practice of automatic drawing, where instinct and immediacy guide the work through a relinquishing of control.

"Through Our Eyes", celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Colorado Black Arts Festival. Selected from an open call, six artists bring powerful and distinct perspectives to this milestone exhibition.