Ateliers Courbet is pleased to announce TERRA, a solo exhibition by Brazilian artist Valéria Nascimento. Marking the London-based artist’s first exhibition at the gallery, the presentation pays homage to the artist’s Brazilian heritage and her reverence for the natural world. The exhibition will include the unveiling of eight new porcelain wall sculptures resulting from the dialogue between the artist and gallery founder Melanie Courbet. Expanding upon Nascimento’s body of work, TERRA reflects the artist’s continued interest in pushing the boundaries of porcelain and examining the life, fertility, and challenges of Amazonian societies and their relationship with nature.

Born in Goiânia, Brazil, the influence of Nascimento’s upbringing amidst the lush Amazonian landscape is present in her work. The exhibition TERRA celebrates the Amazon, drawing inspiration from its terracotta soil, diverse seed pods, and vibrant flora, evoking the elements that characterize Nascimento’s nostalgic memories of home. Each artwork within the exhibition engages in a dialogue reflective of the multifaceted elements within an ecosystem, highlighting their resilience and adaptability in challenging environments.

Inspired by Brazilian Baroque sculpture and the Rococo emphasis on natural forms, ornamentation, and femininity, Nascimento employs organic, hand-formed porcelain to create site-specific installations. These pieces, meticulously assembled, often consist of thousands of individual elements shaped to replicate natural curves and patterns. Central to Nascimento’s artistic practice is her use of repetitive sequencing, symbolizing the harmony and unity inherent in nature’s design. Through her manipulation of porcelain, she achieves installations that exude a sense of weightlessness, mirroring the adaptability and grace of the natural world.

Included in the exhibition will be “Terracotta Lianas,” a pair of wall-hanging sculptures. Drawing from her studies of Amazon rainforest plants such as Lianas and Palm tree berries, Nascimento meticulously crafted each sculpture with 4800 small handmade porcelain fragments. Each fragment was hand-pigmented in a range of shades to create a natural gradient, reflecting the intricate patterns found in nature. The exhibition will also feature the artist’s first lighted wall sculpture, a series of porcelain adorned charred wood panels, and a site-specific installation.

“My practice is a celebration of nature itself, seeking to create works that inspire and deeply resonate with viewers on an emotional level. Each piece is a journey through ethereal, botanical landscapes, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in peaceful, contemplative realms. It is a tribute to nature’s resilience, showcasing how it finds pathways to adapt and flourish, serving as an endless wellspring of inspiration for growth.” - Valéria Nascimento

Valéria Nascimento’s exhibition will be on view through August 30th, 2024, and will run alongside a solo exhibition by Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei.