Luciana dos Santos – nicknamed Pretta for the color of her hair – was born in 1980 in Vitória da Conquista, in the state of Bahia, Brazil.

After earning a Diploma in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, she continued her education by obtaining a Degree in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. She also completed further studies at the School of Fine Arts of the Federal University of Bahia, in Brazil.

Her artistic research explores themes of memory, identity, and the dialogue between past and present, making use of vibrant color and reclaimed materials. Her practice incorporates natural and organic elements – including pigments, essential oils, and raw cotton – reflecting a consistent commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness.

She has taken part in numerous exhibitions, including: La materia conta, H.UNICA, Rome (2023); My Song, Galleria Davide Rossillo, Formia (2023); Genesis, Spirito e Materia, Embassy of Brazil, Rome (2022); Giochi di carta dall’Italia, Tsereteli Museum, Moscow (2021); Knowing the Earthquake, Galleria della Molinella, Faenza (2020); Kunst aus Italien, Kleinen Altstadt Galerie, Dachau, Germany (2018); Ad Usum Fabricae, Follow the Dome, Rome (2018); Abschied aus Dachau, Kleinen Altstadt Galerie, Dachau, Germany (2017); 2X2, KVD Association, Dachau, Germany (2017); Tropico, Auditorium Vittorio De Sica, Sora (2016).