A voz da artista - Adriana Varejão.

Artistic Journey and Influences

Early Works and Materiality

• The artist reflects on their early career, showcasing works from 1987 and 1988 that emphasize the use of oil paint's materiality to create almost sculptural volumes.

• A significant influence was a visit to a Baroque church in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, which inspired the incorporation of Baroque elements into their artwork.

Themes of Landscape and Composition

• The artist discusses how early works foreshadow future themes, highlighting disordered compositions and a landscape reminiscent of Chinese aesthetics.

• The presence of "carnality" in blue tones is noted as an important aspect that will recur throughout their artistic evolution.

Cultural Reflections in Art

Azulegaria as Cultural Skin

• The concept of azulegaria is likened to the skin of a building, representing external cultural traditions while revealing deeper materiality beneath.

• This duality symbolizes the hidden narratives within colonial history, suggesting a body yearning to express itself through art.

Emotional Impact of Collective Works

• The reunion of three specific artworks for display evokes strong emotions as they were created simultaneously but exhibited separately until now.

• These pieces reflect themes of wounds and blood, emphasizing exaggerated expressions to convey historical trauma.

Colonial History and Its Legacy

Violence in Colonial Expansion

• Discussion centers around Portugal's violent colonial history during maritime expansion across Asia, Africa, and Brazil.

• The paradox of a small kingdom wielding vast global influence highlights the brutality inherent in its colonial endeavors.

Symbolism in Cartography

• An emblematic work titled "Mapa de Lopô" illustrates territorial continuity between Asia and America that never truly existed; it represents early cartographic misconceptions.

• The map features cuts symbolizing violence associated with colonial projects that continue to resonate within contemporary society.

Racial Identity and Miscegenation

Challenging Racial Narratives

• A focus on miscegenation reveals the complexities surrounding racial identity in Brazil, challenging notions of peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures.

• The artist critiques traditional definitions like "cor de pele," advocating for new terminologies that better represent cultural realities.

Implicit Violence in Artistic Expression

• Through innovative painting techniques using self-created colors like "Tinta Espovo," the artist addresses underlying violence tied to miscegenation without overtly depicting it.

• Each series reflects different approaches while maintaining core themes related to painting's essence; experimentation with materials expands beyond conventional boundaries.

Philosophical Perspectives on Art

Carnivalization of History

• The concept involves non-linear storytelling akin to samba schools' parades where past and present intermingle rather than follow chronological order.

Psychological Spaces in Artworks

Narrative and Silence in Art

The Role of the Observer

• The narrative conveyed through art is shaped by the viewer's interpretation, emphasizing a shift from artist-driven storytelling to personal reflection.

• This perspective highlights the importance of silence in art, suggesting that what is unsaid can be as impactful as the stories told.

Materiality and Texture in Painting

• The artist explores physicality by incorporating unconventional materials, such as Jesus, into their work to create texture reminiscent of traditional tiles.

• Each piece exhibits unique crackling patterns, evoking an ancient ceramic quality that enhances the visual depth and complexity of the artwork.

Historical Context and Deconstruction

• The artist draws inspiration from Baroque tile panels in Brazil and Portugal, noting how fallen tiles are often reassembled with altered narratives.

• This process creates a sense of vertigo for the observer, inviting them to reconstruct fragmented stories while appreciating new rhythms within deconstructed images.

Three-Dimensionality in Artworks

• Despite being three-dimensional objects that can be viewed from all angles, these works maintain a painted surface that conceals their structural support.

• The illusion created by simulating tile painting challenges perceptions of reality versus appearance within artistic expression.

Cultural References: Charles and Geometric Forms

• The concept of "Charles," or dried meat, symbolizes control and geometric precision; its aesthetic qualities inspire new artistic series blending various textures.