OrigamINK
Series exhibited in my first Solo Show - OrigamINK (September 2018), Paideia Cultural Association, São Paulo - Brazil
In the series ‘OrigamINK’, I placed transparent origami figures in a bowl of water and painted around them with coloured inks. The playful pictures look like paintings; some of them have already been exhibited in London and Edinburgh. Check the making of video in the end of this page.
Although the title of the series reflects a simple blend of words, the concept behind the images is related to my personal journey. The first image created was Jet Lag.
Jet Lag
I was working on a concept for an artwork that would represent my experience of moving between countries (from Brazil to Australia). I wanted to express the disorientation that comes from traveling across several time zones, but also the excitement of exploring a new destination. The aesthetics had to be beautiful and exciting, but with a dash of confusion. Being a long admirer of origami art, I quickly decided to use the airplane origami to represent the jet lag concept. At the same time, I was experimenting with high-speed photography and ink patterns in water. The combination felt like the perfect match, but the process took some time to master. There were many trials with types of ink, materials for the origami and how to place them relatively still in the moving water. It is very soothing to witness the ink flowing in the water, but what makes the experience so interesting is the power of photography to capture a millisecond of that unique moment. The result and also the process mesmerized me, and it was better than expected.
Sinking
After Jet Lag, I produced Sinking, about coping with depression. Mental illness is commonly mistaken as being a choice, i.e., that the person could simply decide to stop feeling depressed. The sinking boat origami represents the feeling of being pulled down from the surface and not being able to float or control that movement.
Flying Solo
The image Flying Solo was created for International Women’s Day, 2018. The idea was to represent older single women as a beautiful and proud bird, instead of being portrayed as ‘spinster’ or ‘old maid’. The closest equivalent term for single males is ‘bachelor’ yet, applied to females, it often has a derisive connotation. The image celebrates all women who refuse to let their lives be defined by their relationship status and are proud of flying solo, despite the social turmoil that surrounds them.
Imago
Imago was created for the same ‘Threads’ exhibition, but in Edinburgh. It is about transformation and maturity. It represents converting limitations into opportunities to evolve and grow, like a never-ending metamorphosis. The imago is the final stage in which the butterfly attains maturity. It is when the insect develops its functional wings and is thus ready to fly and discover the world.
Late Bloomer
Late Bloomer was created for an exhibition in London about life choices, titled ‘Threads’. The photograph represents the dream to become a full-time artist, but also the fear it might already be too late to change one’s career path. It came about after the realisation that being a late bloomer is less about being late, and more about taking time to find the courage to flourish.
Shine
Shine was also created for the solo show. It is about acting on goals and dreams so they can become a reality. The fear of failure and limiting beliefs can prevent someone from achieving her/his true potential. The only true type of failure, however, is not trying at all. It is important to believe that things will happen, and to empower self-confidence to let one’s inner light shine.
Against the Flow
Against the Flow was created for my first solo exhibition. It is about being different and breaking away from social standards. Very often people are judged harshly for living unconventionally or not following a traditional path. Going against the majority can be difficult, but there are greater rewards for those who dare to take such a leap.