João Paulo Paixão is a visual artist born in Avaré (SP, 1996). His practice explores the relationship between memory, materiality, and the body. He works with drawing, sculpture, collage, and the hybridity between these languages, seeking to integrate spontaneous gestures with the inherent narrative of the materials.
A graduate in Visual Arts from Belas Artes de São Paulo (2022), he participated in the OMA Galeria Laboratory (2023). He has held solo exhibitions such as "O Coração da Madeira" (UFSJ, 2023) and "Caminhos" (Casa Amarela, 2022). His work has been featured in collective shows including "A Beleza (Desútil) da Madeira" (2024), "Crisálida" (2024), "Instabilidade Fundamental" (2023), "ArtSampa" (2022), "Meu Tempo é Quando" (2021), and "B.A Creative Collectibles" (2021). Additionally, his work has been published in Revista Zupi (2024) and Revista Têmpera (2024).
How would you describe your artistic style?
My artistic style is hybrid and fluid, focused on exploring the connections between memory, materiality, and the body. I try to understand how material stimuli influence memory and how these recollections manifest in artistic production. I strive for my works to show this connection between past and present, using a language that involves both spontaneous gestures and the discourse of the material itself. This hybrid style allows me to experiment with different forms and techniques without being tied to a single approach.
What is your creative process like?
My creative process is a combination of exploration and intuition. I begin by selecting materials that carry affective value for me, such as old wood and dried leaves from my late grandfather's farm. When I interact with these materials, I let the manipulation process itself generate forms and spontaneous gestures. With each step, the work takes shape as memories or sensations from the past emerge naturally. This process is both rational and instinctive, seeking to integrate these memories in a concrete way through the interaction between body, memory, and materiality.
What materials and techniques do you use most often?
The materials I use most in my practice are old wood, dried leaves, and other natural elements—generally sourced from my grandfather's farm—which carry deep personal meaning. In terms of techniques, I work with drawing, sculpture, and collage, frequently integrating these approaches. Drawing helps me better understand the creation process of objects and functions as a form of record-keeping. Meanwhile, the hybridity between sculpture and collage stimulates a renewed artistic practice, marked by the constant search for new ways to manipulate these materials.
Who are the artistic influences that have impacted your work?
My work has been and continues to be influenced by artists such as Tunga, Nuno Ramos, and Henrique Oliveira. Tunga inspired me with his symbolic narratives and the poetic use of materials in his installations. Nuno Ramos showed me how raw matter can be transformed into art, exploring themes like the body and time. Henrique Oliveira impacted me with how he works with wood to create organic structures that dialogue with the environment. Each of them influenced how I view materials and space, helping to mold my artistic practice.
How do you stay up to date on trends?
For me, it is fundamental to stay attentive to what is being exhibited in museums and galleries. In addition to following these spaces through websites and social media, I make it a point to visit them in person. Physical presence is essential, as it allows me not only to see the works up close but also to establish contact with the artists and professionals working in the art market.
