Art as an Expression of Life
and Memory
Rafael Pereira
Contemporary artist Rafael Pereira, whose work deeply resonates with
Brazilian culture and traditions, was born in São Paulo in 1986. Rafael moved to
Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, as a child, where he specialized in working with
precious stones. His return to São Paulo at the age of 17 marked the beginning
of a self-taught journey in painting and drawing, balancing his work in
gemstone cutting with his artistic development.
My artistic training is marked by my self-taught approach and the culturally
rich environment I grew up in. From a young age, I showed a natural interest in
art, influenced by my African heritage, which infuses my works with vibrant
colors and symbols. The decision to dedicate myself exclusively to art at the
age of 24 was a turning point in my career, leading me to sell my works on the
streets and travel across Brazil, absorbing the culture and landscapes of each
place.
I began my career with encouragement from collectors Claudete Guitar and
Torquato Saboia Pessoa, who recognized my talent from the start. Among my
works is the painting series "Catadores de Cana" (2021), which addresses the
reality of sugarcane cutters and honors my father's profession. My ability to
capture the dignity and essence of the people I portray is a hallmark of my
work.
My style is influenced by contemporary and avant-garde Brazilian artists like
Heitor dos Prazeres, Artur Timóteo da Costa, Benedito José Tobias, Emmanuel
Zamor, Wilson Tibério, Dalton Paula, André Ricardo, Moisés Patricio, Renata
Felinto, Tiago Sant'ana, Catarina Dantas, and Tarsila do Amaral, among
others. My works are known for depicting everyday scenes with a poetic touch,
combining elegance and sophistication. I use various techniques, including
oil, ink, pastel, and woodcut, always exploring new forms of artistic expression.