This October, Lumière Contemporary Art Gallery in Limassol will showcase Marcelo Daldoce in his first solo exhibition at the venue, unveiling a collection of new works under the theme Plants. Running from October 11 to November 11, the Brazilian-American artist delves into his experiences with plants, both within and beyond his studio, presenting them in two distinct artistic expressions.
Exhibition Highlights
The exhibition is divided into two key themes: Observational and Tactile.
Observational Series
The Observational series, as explained by the gallery’s organisers, features academic watercolours and line drawings of tropical houseplants. These vibrant plants, housed in water, symbolize life adapting to new, controlled environments. Daldoce’s art captures the delicate balance between fragility and resilience, focusing on the soft textures of the plants and the surrounding space. His technique evokes the visual process of seeing, internalizing, and interpreting, drawing viewers into the subtle relationship between life and environment.
Tactile Series
In contrast, the Tactile series embraces the use of dead, native plants—often overlooked as common weeds that persist in challenging surroundings. Collected from urban streets, these plants undergo a unique transformation. Dried and flattened through a print press, they become monotypes, illustrating the strength of these plants as they thrive in harsh conditions, often sprouting from the smallest cracks in concrete. This series taps into sensory experiences like touch and texture, highlighting the tenacity of plants and their symbiotic relationship with creatures such as bees, which are essential for their pollination.
A Story of Belonging and Duality
Daldoce’s art is deeply personal, reflecting his own journey as a Brazilian immigrant to the United States. Central to his work is the concept of rooting oneself in a new environment, a theme that mirrors his own life. His art also explores the duality of life, juxtaposing themes of softness and strength, life and death. A poignant example of this is the simultaneous loss of his father and the birth of his daughter, just two days apart, which profoundly influenced his perspective and artistic expression.
From Brazil to Cyprus
Having previously exhibited in Brazil and New York City, with his work featured on magazine covers like There and GQ, Daldoce now brings his artistic exploration to Limassol. This solo exhibition offers Cyprus’ art community a chance to engage with his thought-provoking works and gain insight into the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world.
Plants
A solo exhibition by Marcelo Daldoce
October 11 – November 11
Lumière Contemporary Art Gallery, Limassol
Opening night: 7pm
Tel: 25-344141
www.lumiereartgallery.com