Macaparana – the continuer of neoplasticism and Malevich’s concept

Today we present a great contemporary artist from Brasil – Macaparana, who creates geometrical art. In his art there is visible influence of avant-garde art, especially of such artists as Hans Arp or Polish sculptor Katarzyna Kobro. Macaparana, born 1952, is a Brazilian painter, illustrator and sculptor. He presented his first solo exhibition as early as in 1970 (he was 18). Since 1973 he has been living in Sao Paulo. He partook in numerous individual and collective exhibitions in recognized galleries, as well as participated in many contests and biennales., such as the Bienal Iberoamericana de Arte en México (1984), “Art Salão Contemporânea Paulista” in São Paulo (1986), the XXI Bienal Internacional de São Paulo and the editions of ARCO in Madrid since 2005. ‘Macaparana’ is his artistic alias, which was invented by his friend Pietro Maria Bardi (founder of Museum of Art of Sao Paulo) and is originally the name of the artist’s hometown. 

Here is how Macaparana’s art has been described by dr Dariusz Mlącki, a polish painter, expert in the field of contemporary art.

 Secular metaphysics

A Brazilian artist gifted with amazing sensitivity and subtlety. Placed among the artists who use the language of geometry. The continuer of neoplasticism and Malevich’s concept. The partaker in 21st Art Biennale in Sao Paulo. He inherited his manual abilities from his carpenter grandfather and tailor father. He got soaked in technology, colours, shapes and handcrafted artistry. In his works we can see the excellence, refined form. In geometrical pieces he seeks longing for space, harmony and third dimension. Minimalistic language becomes the subject by acquiring meanings, creating semantic layers.

In Macaparana’s art geometry is a way of conveying certain substance and not an aesthetic or decorative formula. I find in his creations pure values of visual artworks such as “Order” – a record of the universe-governing laws, harmony of colours and rhythms, beauty as projection of spirituality and finally metaphysics with unnamed energy leading to transcendence and meditation. Macaparana transcendents definite, cold and rational art, adorning it with sensitivity and subtlety, as well as mysterious atmosphere of his father’s and grandfather’s workshops. He creates constructions as if they were a pantheistic meditation. He exceeds the requirements of definite art, stepping in the direction of spirituality through colour, rhythm and third dimension.  I would call that secular metaphysics.

dr Dariusz Mlącki, 2016