A DASH OF BLUE
Best known for her Azulejão or “big tile” paintings created from her fascination with Brazil, Adriana Varejão is closing the gap between paintings and sculptures. Drawing inspiration from Brazil’s brutal colonial history, Baroque art, and architectural ruins, Varejão capitalises on aesthetics that deal with contrasts, and often pours her heart out into an azulejo, a terracotta tile brought to Brazil by Portugese colonists. After being commissioned by the Rio 2016 Olympics to produce a temporary mural based on an older piece, Celacanto Provoca Maremoto, 2004-2008, Varejão’s project with the Gagosian Gallery, ‘Azulejão’, features her largest single tile paintings to date. Of course, her works are never what it seems. Take a close look in person to discover elements of history, culture, and landscape—all invocated within her azulejo art pieces. Until December 10 at Gagosian Gallery, Rome, Italy. www.gagosian.com