Family Legacy, Trauma, and the Feminine Gaze

Dr. Thiago Arzua, a neuroscientist at Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute, and Ana Vallejo, an interdisciplinary visual artist from Colombia, are joined by moderator Janna Dyk for an insightful discussion at PICTO New York. This conversation will explore the intersection of art, trauma, and epigenetics, offering a deeper understanding of how trauma shapes human experience across generations. Dr. Arzua will share his research on how stress responses to traumatic experiences may be passed down through generations via transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Vallejo will discuss her work, which explores the impact of neglect and trauma on emotions, mental health, and relationships, bringing an artistic perspective to the conversation. Janna Dyk, a curator, writer, and researcher, will guide the discussion, highlighting the connections between neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and art, and examining how brain neuroplasticity and creativity can foster self-actualization.