MASP

The artist Valdirlei Dias Nunes explores the interplay between painting, drawing and sculpture, working with refined representations that seek to deceive the viewer regarding the nature of materials. Permeated by the idea of the void, his works use an economy of colors, predominately tones of black and white for the background and woody or golden hues for the figures. His figures exist at the threshold between figuration and abstraction, taking the form of grills, walking sticks, boxes or wooden surfaces, where grain patterns are meticulously depicted. Relevo n. 3 [Relief n. 3] is part of a series where Nunes represented the canvas itself. The central white rectangle is an MDF sheet painted with synthetic enamel using a roll, creating a texture similar to the fabric often used as canvas. Akin to a sculpture, the artist emphasizes the three-dimensional and material aspects; however, its placement on the wall reinforces the traditional display of paintings. As far as the linear and graphic aspects are concerned, the contrasting outlines between the frame, the painting and the white wall can be understood as a form of drawing. Via the left vertical line, the frame extends beyond the edges of the painting, both at the top and the bottom. The wooden sticks also appear to be broken, juxtaposing an expressive and dramatic gesture — to break — with the silent and minimalist appearance of the work. Relevo n. 3 challenges the conventions of artistic creation, including the canvas, the frame and the artist’s gesture.

— Leandro Muniz, assistent curator, MASP, 2023

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