Laís Amaral

Born and raised in São Gonçalo , Rio de Janeiro, self-trained artist Laís Amaral began her artistic journey with the 2017 cofounding of Trovoa, a collective in Niterói, Brazil. The group, known for hands-on artistic practices, experimented with various mediums and discussed race, gender, and social issues, reflecting their experiences as racialized women in Brazilian society. Identifying as an “ artist-artisan, ” a term influenced by her family background and experiences with Trovoa , Amaral currently focuses on painting. Her work explores themes of contemporary environmental collapse, particularly desertification , and the phenomenon of “ whitening ” in Brazilian territories. She draws parallels between these landscapes and the internal struggles of individuals facing social and economic challenges. Amaral blurs the lines between art and craft, using unconventional tools like manicure instruments and hair combs to challenge traditional Western notions of abstraction. Her paintings act as visual narratives, employing techniques such as layering and scraping black paint over colorful compositions to reveal hidden stories akin to archaeological excavations . Her work is influenced by her personal experiences and Brazil’s socio-political landscape, addressing issues like environmental degradation and racial and gender identity. Through her art, Amaral seeks to uncover and communicate underlying stories, fostering dialogue around these critical themes. Laís Amaral (b. 1993, São Gonçalo, Brazil) lives and works in Rio de Janeiro. Amaral's recent solo exhibitions have taken place at Mendes Wood DM , New York (2024); Galeria 5 Bocas , Rio de Janeiro (2024); HOA Gallery , São Paulo (2023); M+B Almont , Los Angeles (2022); and Anita Schwartz Galeria , Rio de Janeiro (2020). The artist's group exhibitions have taken place at 16th Gwangju Biennale, Brazil Pavilion , Gwangju (upcoming); Goodwood Art Foundation , Chichester (2025); MAM Rio , Rio de Janeiro (2025); Casa da Cultura da Comporta , Comporta (2025); Mendes Wood DM at d’Ouwe Kerke , Retranchement (2025 and 2023); MAM São Paulo , São Paulo (2024); Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR) , Rio de Janeiro (2022); Mendes Wood DM , Brussels (2022); Instituto Tomie Ohtake , São Paulo, Brazil (2021); and Solar dos Abacaxis , Rio de Janeiro (2019).