Brazilian artist Paulo Nimer Pjota is attracting international attention with his unique style that combines street culture with mythology and art history.
Raised in São Paulo, Pjota began graffiti at the age of 13 and sold his first painting just two years later. For him, art is part of every aspect of life – from films and books to everyday experiences, which he transforms into visual elements in his works.
His latest exhibition at the South London Gallery, entitled “Encantados”, includes large paintings of fantastic scenes, featuring mythological figures, strange animals and symbolic elements. In his works, he combines influences from Brazilian folklore, ancient civilizations and popular culture, creating a rich and unusual artistic universe.
Pjota describes his process as similar to that of a hip-hop producer, "sampling" images and ideas from various sources and merging them into new compositions.
His inspiration also comes from his childhood and personal experiences, including the stories he heard in his family and the books he now reads to his son.
His roots in street culture remain essential. He was formed in the graffiti and hip-hop scene in Brazil, where art was seen as a form of expression and resistance. According to him, street culture is closely linked to revolution and community.
Today, his paintings represent an evolution from graffiti towards a more narrative and complex art, where symbols intertwine to create new stories and imaginary worlds. /GazetaExpress/
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