Dark Parables

We have the pleasure to exhibit Dark Parables by Paulo Romão Brás.

Dark Parables #40

Dark Parables #41

Dark Parables #42

Dark Parables #43

Dark Parables #44

Dark Parables #45

Dark Parables #46

Dark Parables #47

Dark Parables #48

Dark Parables #49

Dark Parables #50

+ Press Release

Along his career, Paulo Romão Brás has been developing a creative production process, which can hardly be labeled under a technique, a specific language or style. Neither specialization nor unity is part of this artist’s work, whose creativity does not accept a pre-determined route. Brás makes use of several language and technical resources, in series that underline interdisciplinary dialogues. 
 

Both the heterogeneity and multiplicity that one can find in Brás’ work are equally present in his method, which, among other ways, resorts to appropriation and decontextualization of references and materials.
 

In “Dark Parables”, the artist works with an aesthetics of appropriation, combining uncommon artistic techniques and processes: starting with old photos of anonymous people that he collects over time, Brás digitally works on drawings and images, transforming certain aspects of the composition and overlapping details of great graphic diversity.
 

The results are works that place the viewer before unexpected details. The plastic composition is established between what was photographed and what was drawn, resulting in a hybrid complicity, such as a suggestive game of association and overlapping, which oneiric effect dissolves the “reality” aspect of photographic representation.
 

More than a creator of shapes or a photo collector, in this series, Brás triggers metaphoric articulations and, from one image to another, he explores the archive photo creative process pathways.
 

Here, photography is, above anything else, a reminisce, a background, a trail of frozen memories and sentimental value that acquire intriguing contours, through informal, free experiments that call on the subversive and transformative power of drawing.

 

Sandra Vieira Jürgens

 

 

+ Biography

Paulo Romão Brás (Portalegre,1968) 

 

Lives and works in Lisbon.

 

He graduated in fine arts in Publicity at ESCS (Escola Superior de Comunicação Social) and in Graphic Design at AR.CO (Centro de Arte e Comunicação Visual).

 

 

Since 1999 has exhibit his work regularly. 

 

Solo Shows

 

"Labirinto", Lisboa (2009)

 

"Go-Between", Kleines Kabinett (KK), Lisboa (2006) 

 

"Deux Artistes en Dialogue", Galerie Ellecnite, Paris (2005)

 

 

Group Shows

 

"Cabinet d'Amateur", Museu Nacional de História Natural / Sala do Veado, Lisboa (2010)

 

"Tiresias" - Vídeos de Artistas Made In Portugal, C. Cultural de España Montevideo Uruguai (2010)

"In Connection" - Pav. 28 / Hospital Júlio de Matos (2009)

"No Connection", Museu Nacional de História Natural / Sala do Veado, Lisbon (2008)
 

"Descartáveis", Restauradores – Av. Liberdade – Marquês de Pombal, Lisboa (2007)
 

"Objecto: Simulacro", Hospital  Júlio de Matos / Pav. 24, Lisboa (2007)
 

"Stigmata", Museu Nacional de História Natural / Sala do Veado, Lisboa  2007
 

"CATODICA Internacional Videoart Review" -LipanjePuntin Gallery – Triste (2006)
 

<http://www.catodica.it/index.php?catodica2>"Número-Projecta’06" – 7.º

Festival Internacional de Artes Multimédia, Cinema e Música de Lisboa (2006)
 

"Interpretações" - Museu da Cidade/Pavilhão Preto – Lisboa (2006)
 

"Videomix" – La Casa Encendida – Madrid (2006)

"Sem Gerações" – Casa dos Barcos – Caldas da Rainha (2004)

"Em Jogo / Selecção Nacional" – Centro de Artes Visuais – Coimbra (2004)

"Penetrações (Zart 21)" – Bartolomeu 5 art gallery – Lisboa (2003)

"Jornadas do Poder" – Cultural Center of Cascais (1999)

"LAB." – Teatro Taborda, Lisboa (1998)
 

"Interferências" – Jardim do Príncipe Real, Lisboa (1998)

"INSTALART" - Reitoria da Universidade Lisboa (1997)

 

 

 

Paulo Romão Brás colaborated with several portuguese magazines of art and culture (1998-2012): Magnética; Op., Base, Número and Ópio.
 

As a member of  *Zart 21* (2003-2005) and *21 ½: Plataforma Independente de Transgressão Artística* (2006-2010) he produced and organized several artistic projects.

 

He was the artistic director of  "Festival Sonda" – Caldas da Rainha (2004).

 

Lately he has been working on a "Artist Book" in collaboration with 38 portuguese writers.