Fernando Chamarelli is a graphic designer, illustrator and visual artist. After initially drawing cartoons, caricatures and portraits he later became involved in street art and tattooing: it is by merging these different mediums that he creates his art.
Chamarelli lives in Brazil, a multicultural country of contrasts, many of which are reflected in his work. Everpresent, is the influence of Brazilian popular culture and pre-Columbian indigenous art on the Sao Paulo-based artist. His work includes mosaic, geometric elements, organic forms and harmonic lines connecting symbols, legends, philosophies, religions and customs of ancient and modern civilizations.
Please tell us a lil’ bit about yourself and what you hope to communicate through your work.
Well, I started drawing a little late, when I was a teenager of 14 years, unlike most artists who begin to draw since early childhood. At first I liked to draw realistic portraits and caricatures, I did tattoos on friends for some years while doing art on the streets too. I went to college to study graphic design. After college, when I graduated, I started to paint. To have done a lot things I mixed everything in my paintings and now I believe I have a strong distinctive style. I have painted since 2007, but a lot of good things have happened in this time and now I live doing art. I expect people to travel inside my artworks.
Can you share a lil’ bit about the themes behind your new body of work for ‘Lost Civilization‘.
For this exhibition there are different and exotic characters. They seem to come out of another era, another planet or perhaps the ocean’s depths. Some resemble beings of Atlantis and carry ancient symbols.
- Fernando Chamarelli ‘Pandava’ – acrylic on canvas – 35.5×23.5 inches (2011)
When did you know you wanted to follow the path of being a full-time artist?
When I was a designer in an agency I didn’t have much time to do my things. I painted canvas and made illustrations only at night and during weekends. Then I started to get the call for exhibitions. So I took the leap and quit my job and I became a full-time artist.
What fuels you to keep creating?
There is an inexplicable thing inside me that will never let me stop creating.
Please describe your dream project if time and money were not issues.
Building art schools in various poor regions of Brazil. The achools would be different, crazy places where would be shown what is art to children. Teach them to do something and turns them artists in the future. There are many talented people who have no opportunity to develop, enhance, or simply show what they already know to do. The Brazilian people are very creative.
Favorite item in your studio?
My berimbau.
Is there anyone in particular, artist or otherwise, that you’d like to give a shout out to here?
My friend Rodrigo Level.
Any shows or special projects coming up after your exhibit with us here at Thinkspace you would like to mention?
Still in this year I’m goig to do a solo show in Sao Paulo, at Galeria QAZ Street Art and will participate in a group show in December at 5pieces Gallery in Switzerland.
Digital preview for ‘Lost Civilization‘:
www.thinkspacegallery.com/2011/08/project/works-lost.php
Please get in touch via contact@thinkspacegallery.com if you would like to purchase any works from the exhibit or have any questions concerning the artist or featured paintings.
Fernando Chamarelli ‘Lost Civilization’
Reception: Sat, August 13th 5-9PM in our project room (with DABS MYLA in the main gallery)
Thinkspace / 6009 Washington Blvd in Culver City, CA / www.thinkspacegallery.com
