Sílvia Araújo | Contemporary Installative Painting and Fine Art

Sílvia Araújo is a contemporary artist whose practice is centered around the concept of "installative painting," a term that describes her expansive, multi-component works. She is particularly noted for her innovative and unconventional choice of medium: using nail polish (Nagellack) applied to cotton (Baumwolle). This choice of material creates a distinctive aesthetic characterized by high-gloss surfaces and a rich, layered materiality that challenges traditional notions of fine art painting. Based in Zürich, Sílvia Araújo has developed several significant bodies of work over the past decade. Her series "VENUS MONDE," produced between 2015 and 2024, is a central project comprising 60 individual pieces, each measuring 32 x 32 cm. These pieces are often displayed in variable configurations, emphasizing the installative nature of her painting. Another major focus is the "PALINDROM" series, which includes works such as "PALINDROM 1 - CONFETTI," "PALINDROM 2 - ROSA," "PALINDROM 3 - DEEP BLUE," and "PALINDROM VI - L'UNICORNIO." These titles suggest an interest in linguistic structures and symmetry, mirroring the palindromic concept in visual form. In addition to these series, Sílvia Araújo created "1089 NAGELLACK-MONDPHASEN," further exploring celestial themes and the phases of the moon through her unique medium. Her work has been showcased in various exhibitions and galleries, establishing her as a unique voice in the contemporary art scene. By combining industrial materials like nail polish with organic cotton, Sílvia Araújo creates a dialogue between the artificial and the natural, the cosmic and the intimate. Her installations invite viewers to consider the repetitive and cyclic nature of both time and artistic production.