Rafael Chavez

Rafael Chavez is a self-taught visual artist from the Caatinga, in the hinterlands of Paraíba, in Santa Luzia, in the Vale do Sabugi region, an archaeological cradle with over 25 sites recognized and listed by IPHAN - National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage. Her artistic journey is marked by the diversity of materials and forms of expression, influenced from an early age by the educational environment of her mother, a pedagogue, with whom she lived until he was 18. This rich context of diversity fuelled her curiosity and desire to experiment with different media, including oil and acrylic painting, watercolour, digital painting, digital animation, sculpture, video art, and music.

Chavez’s works transcend simple visual representation, exploring intersections between body, landscape, spirituality, and territory. Her production celebrates the vitality of the northeastern hinterland and the dynamics of rural life, which have permeated her artistic research process without stereotypes, along with the mysteries and archaeological possibilities of the Caatinga forest. The expression of queer and deviant bodies is also one of the guiding threads of her work, challenging predefined norms of identity and authenticity.

Rafael Chavez’s work celebrates diversity in all forms of expression. Each piece is a portal for deeper understandings of existence in a diverse universe. Her works highlight contemporary issues of identity, resistance, and transformation, reflecting her personal experiences and the rich cultural heritage of the sertão nordestino. Chavez’s art transforms the complexities of existence into vibrant euphoria, challenging the observer to rethink normative standards and stereotypes.