About me
Joana Ricou is a contemporary bioartist based in New York. Originally from Portugal, she integrates her dual background in biology and fine arts—having studied both at Carnegie Mellon University—to explore the intersection of science, art, and the environment.
Ricou’s work include large photography, painting and participatory performances that investigate the multiplicity and boundaries of the human body, challenging the historic view of the self as a single, indivisible entity. Inspired by artists like Alina Szapocznikow and Kiki Smith, she blends traditional media, such as oil painting, with living laboratory materials to explore how we shift, split, and merge from moment to moment. This conceptual focus anchors projects such as Other Self, which explores how the microbiome blurs the boundary between the individual and their environment.
Joana has presented work nationally and internationally including the at Ponce Museo de Arte, Sao Paulo Cultural Center, Champalimaud Center (Portugal), Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Science Center and Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. She has received awards such as Welcome Fund commission (2015), Museum of Life and Science commission (2016), Micro Spark award from the Sprout Fund (2012).
Contact Joana at jiricou@gmail.com
Exhibition History
Image licensing
Images of Joana's works have been used in scientific journals, newspapers, books and major movie productions.
Please e-mail jiricou@gmail.com to request a license.
