One of the main goals of PIPA Prize is to broaden general knowledge about Brazilian contemporary art – and there’s no better way to do it then through the artists themselves. That’s why, since 2010, PIPA produces exclusive video-interviews with each edition’s nominated artists. This year, there will be approximately 60 new interviews, in which artists nominated for the 9th edition of the Prize talk inspirations, career, studio, and much more. Watch the first five video-interviews, produced in partnership with Do Rio Filmes, below. And stay tuned: there are many, many more to come soon.
Cecilia Bona
Graduated in Product Design, Cecilia Bona became an artist after an in-depth research on lamps – the process opened her eyes to the endless possibilities brought about by the simplest of elements, light. Since then, she has worked with many other materials, among plants, electricity, and rocks. What inspires her creations? “The things we see, the things we find in our way.” See the artist’s page for more information on works, career, and more.
Débora Bolsoni
Débora Bolsoni’ works mainly with objects and installations, investigating their relationship towards space. Be aware of the title of her works: they generally hide a pun or curious information of some sort. See the artist’s page for more information on works, career, and more.
Ío
Installation, performance, video. Experimenting with different media is central to Ío’s work. The duo, composed of Laura Cattani and Munir Klamt, states, however, that the choice of medium is generally derivative of the theme they want to work with, and not the other way round: “Our works generally start with an idea, or project. We are always searching for materials and ways to make them real.” See the artist’s page for more information on works, career, and more.
Gervane de Paula
“My art has the quality of an artist who lives outside the urban center.” That’s how Gervane de Paula, based in Cuiabá, in the Brazilian Centre-West, begins his video-interview. His oeuvre is marked by a mix of local artisanal techniques and a witty criticism of the socio-political Brazilian reality. “I’m a happy-go-lucky artist and so is my work, in spite of everything,” he says. See the artist’s page for more information on works, career, and more.
Tiago Tosh
Tiago Tosh – whose last name pays homage to Peter Tosh, once a guitar player in Bob Marley’s band – is one of the founders of etnografitti, which associates urban art and the indigenous universe. His practice involves spirituality, mysticism, and preserving the environment. Indeed, its is under tree branches, sitting next to a river, that the artist prefers to work: “My studio is outdoors. I go to the Tijuca Forest or the woods, sit under a tree and it becomes my studio.” See the artist’s page for more information on works, career, and more.
Eager for more? Click here to see the pages of all the artists nominated for PIPA Prize 2018.