Simone Sarmet, originally from Brasília, has been developing her artistic research since 2014, exploring aerial images to map and translate the materiality of different places around the world. In this process, nature becomes not only a reference, but the creative concept itself, imbued with visual intentionality.
Her work also proposes interaction with the observer through technologies – such as QR codes or videos – that reveal the original places portrayed.
Her career began in the USA, where she studied at institutions such as the Art Students League of New York and the Pacific Art League, in California. Her work has been presented in exhibitions in Brazil and abroad, such as the group show 'OPEN' at the deYoung Museum (San Francisco, 2020), as well as shows in galleries in the Federal District (since 2021); and in solo exhibitions at the Esplanada dos Ministérios (DF/2022) and at the Consulate General of San Francisco (2014).
How did your journey into the art world begin?
Throughout my career, I have always been driven by curiosity, intuitively and informally exploring different media and techniques. However, it was when I was almost 40, while living in California, USA, that I decided to embrace art in a more professional way. During this period, I sought to improve my practice by participating in specialized workshops, which allowed me to expand my technique and take my first steps in group and individual exhibitions. It was also a time of immersion in the artistic universe, where I was able to meet other artists, seek references in Art and, above all, launch myself into experimentation, an essential element of my creative journey.
What themes do you prefer to explore in your works?
Since 2014, I have dedicated myself to using satellite images as a tool to investigate the materiality of global geography. In the AERO I and AERO II series, images captured from satellites located at an altitude of approximately 2 km resulted in abstract works, marked by earthy tones that evoked the vastness of our planet. In 2024, the research focused specifically on Brazil, using Google Earth at a distance of approximately 200 meters, which allowed a more detailed reading of the territory. This new perspective generated images with saturated and contrasting nuances, expanding the perception of the multiple geographic and human layers that make up space. The research continues to blend physical reality and abstraction, inviting the viewer to reflect on visual dynamics, stimulating a deep reflection on the way we relate to the territory.
What is your creative process like?
My creative process is marked by a long research phase that precedes the production of the works. First, the selection of reference images, which is a time-consuming process that involves a lot of reflection. Then, the definition of the color palette is studied and defined, and is usually approached differently in each series. Finally, before starting work on the final support, I carry out tests to ensure that each visual element is aligned with the search for the desired materiality and the research proposal.
