10 Emerging Contemporary Artists from São Paulo to Know

Graffiti of unidentified artist on the wall of the Batman alley in Sao Paulo Brazil
Graffiti of unidentified artist on the wall of the Batman alley in Sao Paulo Brazil | © MAR Photography/Shutterstock
Lise Alves

As one of the culture hubs of South America, São Paulo has dozens of museums and hundreds of art galleries, with artists from all mediums and backgrounds showing their talent. The great number of artists working in the city makes it difficult to choose only a few contemporary artists to showcase, but here are 10 that we think you should keep your eye on.

Henrique Oliveira

Using materials recycled from São Paulo, artist Henrique Oliveira creates wooden shapes that explode from the walls and floors, and twist and turn around tables and ceilings. His installations have traveled to France, Germany, the U.S. and even the Congo. In 2014 a massive tree trunk which snaked around the floors of São Paulo’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) was visited by tens of thousands of people.

http://instagram.com/p/xzXzLcOK4E/?hl=en

Moises Patricio

http://instagram.com/p/BQD73g8DNK5/?taken-by=premiopipa

Mariannita Luzzati

Nominated in 2016 for the prestigious PIPA Award, the paintings and drawings of Mariannita Luzzati show idyllic and contemplative landscapes, with no urban signs or human interference in the scenario. She says that in 2010 she started to feel the urge to remove urban elements from her paintings so that the landscapes could be seen in their natural state, without intervention from man.

http://instagram.com/p/BQRHPC9A-dr/?taken-by=mariannitaluzzati

Ana Elisa Egreja

Artist Ana Elisa Egreja, says that she paints utopian environments and imaginary worlds. Her most recent paintings are still-lifes of commonly found objects – a watermelon, an octopus, flowers. The ultra-realistic paintings, however, always have an item that is somewhat out of place, for example a skull among fruits and flowers, or a swan in a bathtub.

http://instagram.com/p/BPH9KcNBA2n/?taken-by=galerialeme

Adriano Costa

Adriano Costa’s work displays a dialogue between common objects, household objects and leftovers, which he reorganizes into substantial compositions with a strong poetic dimension. Using different textures and shapes, the artist is able recycle household items and create very interesting installations.

http://instagram.com/p/n_kLgNuFDd/

Theo Craveiro

While still a student at São Paulo University, Theo Craveiro saw the police enter his apartment and accuse him of being a money forger. In fact his “counterfeiting” was part of an art project for the São Paulo Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC). Later, trying to “get discovered,” he created a portable museum, where he would exhibit his work in the open space underneath the MASP (Museum of Art of São Paulo). His big break came in 2011 when he was asked to exhibit one of his works at the Istanbul Bienniale and at the Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris. His work today can be seen at the MAC or in the houses of private collectors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/je5NC_OFPC/

Cibelle Cavalli Bastos

Already a successful singer, Cibelle Cavalli Bastos decided a few years ago to expand her horizons towards the visual arts. The artist works with different mediums and different raw materials (latex, ceramics, paint, video). Much of her work is about the “monster” around us and within us and the construction of one’s identity, influenced by gender, culture, politics and social environment. Much of her work is an invitation not only to think about the human body, but also an exercise in perception and internal conscience – about what people see versus who you really are.

http://instagram.com/p/BHU9x2mDl5y/?taken-by=cibellecibelle

Laerte Ramos

Previously experimenting with the different types of image reproduction such as screen printing and wood engraving, Laerte Ramos’ focus shifted to three-dimensional objects after spending time at the prestigious EKWC (European Ceramic Work Center) in the Netherlands. The result of this shift is seen in his most recent work that depicts ceramic miniatures of everyday objects.

http://instagram.com/p/BKta9KjAqeC/?taken-by=blauprojects

Dora Longo Bahia

The multimedia artist uses various techniques, such as painting, photography and video, but has defined herself as an image producer. Her work has gone from illustration to performances to metal engraving works and silk-screening. She has also touched many topics, from the violence present in large cities to typical photos of family albums and shapes of everyday objects, such as vinegar bottles.

http://instagram.com/p/ns_-ZANXpS/?taken-by=galeriavermelho&hl=en

Felipe Cohen

His work shows the conflict between traditional art and contemporary forms by seeking to re-signify materials, everyday phenomena and the genres of art. The artist works with collages, using wood, paper and other materials to re-think and rediscover geometric shapes.

http://instagram.com/p/BONS_oFje6W/?taken-by=premiopipa

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
Edit article