Mariana Porto

"The field of art for me is a quite broad territory. This definition is not very simple. I believe that
with both visual works and more academic research, we end up raising more questions than answers,
perhaps because this field evolves alongside history and humanity itself." – Mariana Porto

In Conversation

A Mythical Connection

In each artwork, Mariana Porto delves into a realm of universal symbols and archetypes. Her exploration of myth and spirituality invites viewers to ponder their own connection to the world and the ancient stories that shape our collective consciousness.

1. Briefly describe the work you do.

A few years ago, fabric has become the primary support for my work. Beyond a chromatic study, grounded in research on mineral pigments and material combinations, my works investigate the boundaries between art and object, often dealing with a mythical space and languages. Examples include performances and their documentation in videos and photos, as well as the occupation of architectural space with textile installations. A shared and collective authorship also presents itself in works where I make myself available for listening and collaboration with observer-participants.

2. What or who inspires your work and how has that influenced both your work and your identity as an artist?

The inspiration and investigative gaze that truly drives my textile work and research happen in places where these artistic feats merge with everyday life, the life of places and communities, in the craftsmanship of popular festivals in Brazil and the Americas. Collective creation, for cultural elaboration in traditions of clothing, laden with symbolism, colors, vibrancy, and cultures, establishes an ancestral pillar where culture brings identity in the form of strength and courage to face the challenges of contemporary life. My panels and performances seek to access this place, in mythical roots, in adornments with this symbolism, in research on customs of religions with African roots. I enhance this by incorporating glass beads and seed beads into embroidery and sewing in panels with more mathematical patterns.

3. Making Art traditionally carry cultural, historical, or personal narratives. How do you incorporate these narratives in your contemporary pieces?

Traditional artistic creation with cultural and historical narratives is, for me, the major driving force to transform our research and visual work into a contemporary dialogue as artists. I consider this ancestry, especially in the textile universe and all its historical dimensions, as a foundation for contemporary creation.

4. Do you aim for a particular emotional or sensory experience in audience interaction with your pieces, considering that textiles or mixed media artworks can evoke a tactile response?

This search for emotional or sensory experiences does happen, and often the work and research have this intention. This exchange is crucial within what I have been pursuing so far, and the result is often surprising and of great value. A personal observation: I believe that the challenging profession of a visual artist is greatly enhanced when we also place ourselves in this position of exchange, with the viewer, the “listener.”

5. Given that textiles and mixed media often generate residuals, how do you specifically approach sustainability and work to minimize environmental impact in your artistic practice?

Within my artistic practices, the way to achieve results with minimal environmental impact has been to work with mineral pigments for dyeing the panels and using discarded fabrics from the textile industry.

6. Get inspired!

INSTAGRAM: @marianaportoart
WEBSITE: marianaporto.com.br

Visual Narratives

Explore Endless Inspiration Today!

INTHEARTS Magazine #2

Editor: Rodrigo Franzao

Details

Semi-gloss (216 GSM)
Matte paper (118 GSM)
Portrait, 8.5×11 in (22×28 cm)
48 pages

ISBN: 979-8-88-136387-1

Read Print

Learn Directly from the Masters!

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