Rituals

Isabella (b. 1995, Porto Alegre, Brazil) is an emerging contemporary painter currently residing in London, United Kingdom. Her work is a dynamic fusion of her Brazilian heritage and a broader exploration of human emotions and environmental consciousness. Drawing from a rich cultural background, Isabella combines vibrant colours, symbolic imagery, and surreal compositions to create a unique visual language that challenges the stagnation often seen in the Western art world.

Central to Isabella’s practice is a desire to explore the deep psychological impact of climate change. She invites viewers to reflect on the emotional responses that arise from our shifting relationship with the natural world, suggesting that true healing begins with a dual process of introspection and reconnection with nature. Her work emphasises that as the environment transforms, so too do our inner landscapes, revealing a profound interplay between the self and the world around us.

In her paintings, surreal elements create a dream-like atmosphere where animals often appear as spiritual beings or manifestations of psychological states. These creatures, whether they are horses, birds, or other forms, serve as bridges between the inner world and the external environment, hinting at the spiritual and emotional significance of nature. The imagery blends with bold colours and compositions that convey a sense of fragmentation—echoing feelings of being caught between different realities or cultural identities, much like Isabella’s own experience of navigating life between Brazil and the UK.

Her protagonists, frequently young women, are depicted in unconventional poses and colours that evoke a narrative grounded in both personal experience and Brazilian folklore. These figures embody solitude, longing, and a search for identity, becoming vehicles for the emotional depth that Isabella infuses into each piece. Through their introspective expressions and surreal surroundings, they reflect the complex layers of human experience and the ways we are shaped by the environments we inhabit.

Isabella’s creative process draws from diverse sources, including photography of Gauchos from her home state of Rio Grande do Sul, as well as personal collages that capture fleeting moments of self-reflection. Her approach results in art that feels both intimate and expansive, inviting viewers into a space where the personal and the universal intersect.

As a 2023 Esop Newman Scholarship recipient, Isabella has participated in various group exhibitions, seeking to expand the reach of her work and foster a dialogue about the emotional toll of climate change. She is open to gallery representation and collaborations with institutions that share her vision for art as a medium for introspection and ecological awareness.

Through her art, Isabella aims to create a space for viewers to reconnect with both themselves and the changing environment, recognising the need for emotional healing in the face of ecological crisis. By exploring the profound links between the psyche and nature, she hopes to inspire a deeper understanding of our place within the world and the importance of nurturing both inner and outer landscapes.