Artist Statement
INSPIRATION
The splendor of the Andes peaks and the luster of the Amazon Rainforest has been my inspiration. The pretty Indian ladies selling their goods, surrounded by pots, papayas, parrots, and old missions are part of my native roots. I enjoyed very much this period of time in my career and as I looked for new challenges. I found them in the wetlands of The Matto Grosso State, in the Midwest part of Brazil or in the Northern city of Manaus, which endlessly romances the mighty Amazon River. I explore the fables and fairy tales from the communities along the river. It is a world of joy within a universe of beliefs.
But there is the other reality; the Rainforest is not the sacred land it once was as tricky politicians, pollution, and deforestation have left their finger prints. Beauty and chaos are the local mixed media and paintings such as, "The politicians," "The people and the rats", "Postcards from the Amazonia" and "The Coca Cola kid" come naturally.. I ask myself if brushes, canvasses or watercolors are the right tools to describe this other side of the forest? I am pretty sure more toxic inspiration will emerge in time. Fairy tales or tricky politicians, it does not matter, my love, respect, and inspiration stand firm for this magnificent place called the Amazon Rainforest and the legacy of the late Chico Mendez. Over time, they provide me with a renewable font of challenges, that enrich my search for the next painting.
Therefore as a reflection in all my paintings, I use bright colors with well balanced tones and subjects. That means the artwork is always fresh, simple, light, with textures, interacted with many materials such as: acrylic, color pencils, wood, pieces of paper, gold and silver leaf, US bills, silkscreen inks, etc.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
There is a river, which runs across the City of Sao Paulo, Brazil named "Tiete". It is pristine at its peak, and then it changes to a Starbucks decaf color and exits as a dark swiss chocolate (nowadays, steps to clean up the river have been taken by local authorities.) I took some canvasses, and submerssed them for a day into the river and composed some artworks with the debris. The project was selected to represent Brazil in the XIII International Biennial of Sao Paulo, a world art event.
Another project that I enjoyed very much was to interact with a group of young blind people. Together we created several tactile materials that could stimulate "visual" response to the memory. These samples were used to assemble two artworks, displayed in a dark room. The project was choosen to represent Brazil in the XIV International Biennial of Sao Paulo. This was the first time in the history of this world event that an artwork was not meant to be visual but to explore new senses of interaction.
I invite you to view my artwork here and also in person at the many shows where my artwork is featured throughout the year. My hope is that my paintings will inspire, illuminate and transform your world.
Mario