Meléndez’s work explores feminist discourse, stereotypes, and gender disparities in contemporary Puerto Rican society. In this piece, the artist questions the widespread use of the slang term “jeva” over “woman.” The term “jeva” is frequently used by men to refer to women they deem physically beautiful and sexually desirable. Here, Meléndez critiques how the term has been appropriated and used in failed empowerment campaigns that intended to subvert its meaning to refer instead to women who are fierce, independent, and unafraid. Combining screen printing, embroidery, and sequins, Meléndez documents the increased use of “jeva” over “woman” in social media and includes the phrase “negotiating words until degradation” as part of the piece.  

 Gisela Carbonell PhD, Curator Rollins Museum of Art