A1: O Nascimento | The Birth

The astral plane is considered to be where the consciousness goes after physical death. 'According to the spiritist doctrine, the spirit, after the death of the body, has more expanded perceptions than when it is bound to physical matter.’ This collection was born from the need to create without restrictions, the same way I did as a child. Each image portrays a story that continues being told in the next image and is a collection of memories, influences, studies & everything that has transformed me over the past 36 years. [original: 18 x 15 cm | watercolour and ink on paper | 2022] . . . This image was created in March 2022 after a long period that I was struggling to make art. I felt constantly constrained and unable to allow myself to create without planing or overthinking. When the idea for this collection came to me it was so organic and I knew that the only thing I had to do was allow my 'it' to present itself to me. Just like it used to do when I was a child sitting in the kitchen drawing until late at night. To be fair, this is the most homy memory I have in my life, to be in that kitchen, in Taquara, drawing. When I was young, I used to let my ideas flow and after I was finished, I would sit back and stare at what I’ve just made. Analysing the randomness that my mind was saying was the closest way that I had to investigate how I truly felt. In this image we see elements that speak about good fortune, abundance and creation. The figure on the front holds an apple to make an allusion to the tales of the original sin and the forbidden fruit. Yet, she is proudly showing us the golden apple that can symbolise here, an inner desire to flee from the shame and guilt that can come when we get in too close with the things that gives us pleasure. She is leaning against a mushroom that is often depicted in my works and also holds a lot of meaning like prosperity, rebirth, enlightenment and transformation. On top of that, during the time I got the idea for this collection, I had many interesting conversations about nature, connection, community and all sorts with my dear friend @Dagda_rk. He influenced me very much in this piece. Furthermore, in the background, we see a purple tree that has inspiration in another amazing friend and artist @OttisOts, and his incredible project #PurpleValley. Finally, when I drew the figure in the background I wasn’t sure who that was at first. As I progressed in this image it became clear to me that this could only be @Dagda_rk welcoming a brand new world. A world within a world within a world.