Description
About the Artist :
Born in Lisbon, in 1966, Monica Machado has lived and worked in Paris since 1981, where she graduated in Fine Arts at the Ecole National des Beaux Arts, in 1992. Starting from the gathering of objects made of cloth and ceramic pieces, in mosaic or glass, Monica Machado deconstructs the materials and explores them in layers and collages, alluding to themes such as nature, religion and everyday lite. Some pieces include lighting which, combined with the bright colour and the glow of the materials, reinforces the idea that Monica Machado’s work comprehends a fantastical dimension.
About the Artwork :
In this work, everything overflows, piles up, and accumulates. The principle of accumulation is applied to the letter by an artist who seems to have multiplied objects in a frenetic pursuit of completeness. The result: everything demands close attention, everything speaks and conceals its share of surprises. Every box, every object is filled with symbols and references. Never have consumer products seemed so alive as they do in this shopping cart. A double boiler transforms into a sort of underwater world. Chicken drumsticks are displayed as though behind a shop window. The artist delights in playing with products and their origins. A bottle of sunflower oil itself becomes a sunflower. A bottle of toilet cleaner transforms into a literal “toilet duck.”
Then, at the top of the cart, comes the explosion. A milk carton becomes a cowshed from which cows stick out their heads. A butter tub reveals a diagram of a cow’s anatomy. Then a bottle of dishwashing liquid transforms into a housewife washing dishes. Here the artist plays with the relationship between a product and its function. A tin of sardines becomes a grand piano. The head of a little squirrel can be seen among the candies in a packet of M&M’s. And is it not the face of the famous “Bonne Maman” that appears in a jar of jam from the same brand?
A carton of apple juice takes on the appearance of a brothel or cabaret. A gallant scene serves as its signboard, yet a lock prevents entry. We are therefore forced to glimpse, almost spy upon, these hidden erotic scenes. Desire is awakened in a viewer who cannot fully discover everything. Curiosity may nevertheless be satisfied by peering through the opening of a bar of Marseille soap.
A woman with a pig’s head offers several intimate scenes appropriate to the use of this soap.
Everything unfolds through humor and mystery. It is a true wandering Ali Baba’s cave, where everyone must find their own password to enter and enjoy all the riches it contains. For each object is a world in itself, contributing to the overall work.
The cart itself is represented as a work of art. Four wheels appear on each side, yet none are functional. A mudguard even blocks one of the wheels, making any movement impossible.
The object is therefore made solely for display. It is entirely covered with fragments of ceramic that immobilize it. The sculpture has taken shape and now presents itself to the viewer’s eye.
Moreover, this work abounds in visual puns and wordplay. Everything implicit must be rediscovered or deciphered. Monica Machado enjoys inventing slogans that she inscribes upon the objects filling her provisions cart. Here are a few examples:
- A bottle of dishwashing liquid bears the slogan: “Make love, not dishes.”
- At the bottom of the cart one finds “Indestructible toilet paper.”
- One should beware of a can of “Eat-Everything Beans.”
Biography :
1966, Born in Lisbon, Portugal.
Lives in Paris since 1981.
Degree in Fine arts by the National School of Fine Arts in Paris (1992), (Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts).
Solo Shows :
2026 Gabrielle Laroche Gallery, Paris
2022 Berthet Aittouares Gallery, « Le Monde fantastique de Monica Machado »
Paris, (06.10 – 29.10)
2013 Oliva Creative Factory Foundation, Portugal
2012 Gabrielle Laroche Gallery (23.09 – 23.10)
2011 – M like Mosaïc, in Paray le Monial
– Boites Noires correspondances, Café Flore Paris
2008 – Michel Soskine Gallery, Madrid
– Art Elysées, Berthet- Aittouares Gallery
1994 Callu Mérite Gallery, Paris (14.06 – 23.07)
Group Shows
2024 La Halle Saint Pierre, « Esprit Singulier » Expo coll, Paris (12.04 – 14.08)
2009 Art Brussels
2008 “5 Portuguese Artists” Enero- Marzo. Michel Soskine Inc. Madrid.
2006 « Kaléidoscopique » Villa Dutoit, Switzerland.
2002/05 Creation of sculptures for the “La cuisine aménagée” project. One of theese sculptures: ” La croix du Christ”.
2001 Galouste Gubenkian Cultural center, « Le Corps », Expo coll, 51 Avenue de Iena, 75016 ( 27.11. – 21.12. 2001)
2000 “Art Paris”. Carrousel du Louvre. Paris, France.
1999 Leonardo Gallery, Paris.
1998 – “III Biennal de Arte AIP”. Porto, Portugal.
– “L’art du temps dans les jardins de la ville”. François Mitterand Park, Evreux.
– Galerie Leonardo, Paris
1997 – Callu-Mérite Gallery. Paris, France.
– « Creation under Threat » Sud Gallery. Bagneux, France.
– « Iglesia del Monasterio Ntra Sra de prado » , Espagne.
– « Encontro Artistico- Cultural ». Fundacâo da juventude, Porto, Portugal.
– « Biennal da MAIA Arte jovem 97 “. Porto, Portugal and Valladolid, Spain.
1996 – “II Biennal de Arte AIP”. Porto, Portugal.
– Callu-Mérite Gallery. Paris, France.
– ” Sculpture interactive”. La Rochelle, France.
– “Courant d’art”. Deauville, France.
– Young Painting salon. Quai Branly. Paris, France.
1995 – « Portugal in Montrouge”. Montrouge, France.
– Callu-Mérite Gallery. Paris, France.
– Contemporary art salon. Bagneux, France.
1994 – Salon d’Art Contemporain de Bagneux
– Salon de Mars, Galerie Callu Mérite, Paris: participe avec une pièce importante
(“Armor”). (Reportage sur Antenne 2 au journal de 20h).
– Art Jonction Cannes, Galerie Callu Mérite, Paris.
– Callu-Mérite Gallery. Paris, France.
1993 – Callu-Mérite Gallery. Paris, France.
– “Young European artists”. Castellon, Spain.
– Salon de Montrouge. France.
– Salon des Félicités. Quai Malaquais. Paris, France.
1990 Galerie des Beaux-arts, Paris.
Cultural Activity :
2006/07 Workshop Children and Parents, “Parents-Enfants” association “Traces”. La Forge, France.
Grants, Awards :
1997 “Bordalo Pinheiro” Award, Portugal.
1995 – Artwork “Amor” bought by F.R.A.C. Ile-de-France.
-Help in the creation of “Le Landau”. Fine Art Department.
1994 Help in the first exhibition, Ministry of Culture, France.
1993 – 3rd Award at the Salon of Montrouge, France.
– Sculpture Award. “Salon des Félicités” of National School of Fine Arts. Paris, France.