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 :
“The Comfort Toy Tree” is, to this day, the one and only textile work created by Monica Machado. Yet the process remains the same, as the artist deconstructs and reconstructs materials toward a single artistic purpose. This work, of remarkable creative strength, is just as fascinating when viewed as a whole as it is in its smallest details.
Each “comfort toy” is a unique assembly of disparate plush elements. Together, they form original creations which, joined side by side, become the artwork itself.
Monica Machado’s fertile imagination strikes brilliantly through these “comfort toys,” where metamorphosis and mystery constantly intrigue the viewer. To look at one plush toy is to discover four, five, or six others within it, in an infinite range of possibilities. Reason loses its bearings and gives way to reverie. What first appears to be a teddy bear suddenly reveals itself as a drum, which then transforms into a flower visited by a creature impossible to name. One may think they recognize Spider-Man, only to realize he has metamorphosed into a cheerleader. Further along, he becomes Superman. Papa Smurf is transformed into a playing-card guard straight out of the world of Alice in Wonderland. The side of a die bearing the number four now resembles a face. Donald Duck is metamorphosed into a cyclops far more amusing than frightening.
A great variety of worlds collide here — from Walt Disney to the superheroes of famous comic books, passing through the universe of games (cards, dice, and more). Searching for a single reference would be futile. Their assemblages elevate them into entirely new dimensions. From this tree, which has not yet revealed all its secrets, sounds, and lights, everything still remains to be discovered…
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.