Paulo Nimer Pjota's Encantados at South London Gallery

Could you tell me a little about the title of the exhibition?

The title of the exhibition is inspired by the idea of creatures and beings that cast enchantments through music, the possibility of transformation through sound.

How does this body of work differ from previous work? What does this exhibition offer that is new, different, or surprising?

I don’t approach my practice with the intention of making something different from what I’ve done before. Rather, I see each body of work as a continuation of an ongoing research process and artistic practice. This exhibition is another chapter in that journey. In a way, it brings together, but doesn’t conclude, the research I’ve developed over my last three solo exhibitions, all of which were titled after Brazilian songs that evoke mythical ideas. In Encantados, the gallery walls are covered with mythical beasts that sing and play magical instruments. Together, the gallery space and the paintings create a hermetic environment in which everything becomes part of the experience, transcending the two-dimensional nature of painting. Just as sound travels through space in waves, I want painting to occupy space in a similar way.

Are you interested in mythology from a particular time or place?

Not really; what interests me is how myths shape society more broadly. I don’t consider myself an expert in mythology or a mythologist. I’m interested in the transformative power of myth and the way it influences culture and society.

Tell me about the process behind the wall murals. What have you depicted and how do they interact with the paintings?

For the murals, I always begin by selecting drawings based on my ongoing visual research into myth, symbolism, and alchemy. I combine and transform these images, creating new forms and compositions. That said, I never arrive with a fully fixed plan for the walls. I need to understand the space during installation, and many decisions are made while I’m working in the gallery. Some of the drawings are created directly on the walls in a spontaneous, organic way. This helps shape the space and allows the murals to fully inhabit it.

‍Do you have a favourite work in the show? 

The painting I made for my son, In Search of the Enchanted Valley (for Jorge). I often make works for my son, or works that reflect on fatherhood, and this is one of them. It was inspired by the film The Land Before Time, which follows the journey of a young dinosaur. I see it as closely related to Joseph Campbell’s concept of the Hero’s Journey.

Tell me about your interest in vessels and how this plays out in the works.

I began painting vessels because of everyday domestic life in Brazil. My grandmother’s house, like so many homes around the world, was filled with decorative flower vases. That inspired me to recreate domestic scenes using historical objects. To me, an archaeological vessel is similar to a book. Some tell stories of heroic journeys and myths, while others record specific moments in history through geometric patterns and ornamentation. I’m interested in the idea of an ordinary object that carries deep cultural significance and artistic value. It is designed for everyday use, yet it is crafted with great care and refinement.

Which visual artists, past and present, are you inspired by? How about with music?

My painting influences include Monet, Matisse, Twombly, Chico da Silva, José Antônio da Silva, alchemical drawings, Medieval painting, Eighteenth-century Flemish painting, Japanese woodblock prints and Albrecht Dürer. Musically, I’m influenced by hip hop, reggae, Brazilian soul, Djavan, Jorge Ben, Racionais MC’s, Gilberto Gil, rocksteady, boom bap, Wu Tang Clan, Nas, Dr Dre, 509 E, and Cassiano.

How does your love of music influence your painting practice?

Music is the fuel for my painting. It’s where ideas and motivation come from. I paint while listening to music, and I’m listening to it almost all day. I also spend a lot of time researching music videos and visual references connected to music.

What do you hope people take away from the exhibition?

I hope this exhibition offers an immersive experience that invites solitude, contemplation, and a deeper connection with one’s inner self.

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Paulo Nimer Pjota's exhibition Encantados is on at South London Gallery until 23 August.

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