FABRICIO LOPEZ: BISSO / AUSÊNCIA DO NEGRO

Aligned to Brazilian traditions of engraving, the Brazilian fine artist Fabrício Lopez presents his recent and unseen production at the exhibition Bisso - Ausência do Negro  (absence of black), opened on the 31st of July at Galeria Marília Razuk. The exhibition unites woodcuts in large dimensions, a frequent characteristic at the artist’s work and, a series of drawings in coal.

Fabrício Lopez, who currently lives in Santos, was born at the neighbourhood of Valongo, one of the centres of coffee distribution of the country in the beginning of 20th century. Once portrayed by the artist, abandoned boats and mansions at the local area unveils strong influence of his working place. Artworks of current collection are results of a series of relations among the surroundings of his previous studio in the area,observational drawings and photographs.

The word “bisso”, sharply chosen by the artist to compose the title which brings the name of the exhibition, reveals a poetic sense underneath the literal meaning of the term: byssus is the name given to a group of filaments that are secreted by some clams, in order to attach themselves to rock surfaces, a secretion that produces black “hair” coming out of the shell allowing them not to be left with the tide.

“Bisso” represents here a desire of permanence and rooting, states Fabrício, who found in this word, taken from a biology book, the meaning that per passes the production of images in his studio and, evokes poetically the sound through which his parents called him when was a child. 

The show presents nine woodcuts in large dimensions, two of them printed from wood blocks lost on carving and five charcoal drawings. Drawings in charcoal return to figure in his creations, but now with more expressivity.

Fabrício Lopez lives and works in Santos and São Paulo. Master in visual poetics graduated by ECA-SP under the tutorial of Cláudio Mubarac, is a founder member of Jatobá Cultural Association – AJA and of Ateliê Espaço Coringa, which between 1998 and 2009 has produced collective activities such as exhibitions,publishing, videos, lectures, exchanges and artistic residencies.

He has participated of various group exhibitions among them: Gravure Extreme –Europalia, Trilhas do Desejo – Rumo Itaú Cultural, X Biennial of Santos (1st award), Novas Gravuras – Cité Internationale des Arts/ Paris – France, XIIIBienal Internacional de Arte de Vila Nova de Cerveira – Portugal e ArteContemporânea at Acervo Municipal Centro Cultural São Paulo. Has participated of Panamerican Encounter of Xylography in Trois Riviérès, Canada, in a residence as invited artist by Atelier Engramme in the city of Quebec and atCRAC (Centro de Residências para Artistas Contemporaneos) in Valparaíso, Chile,as an award of the Rumos Program from Itaú Cultural.

He has presented solo exhibitions at Centro Universitário Maria Antonia, at EstaçãoPinacoteca – SP and Centro Cultural São Paulo, integrates public collections ofPinacoteca Municipal and of State of São Paulo, Casa do Olhar – Santo André,Municipal Secretary of Culture of Santos and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the 1st award for artworks in paper from the program of acquisitions of Itamaraty.