Jul 1

Mario Henrique

Written by Cassie Mckenzie.

Mario Henrique is a contemporary painter who has exhibited extensively in Portugal and internationally in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Brazil, Costa Rica, and the United Arab Emirates, his work stands out for expressive qualities and fluid forms. The paintings can be found in private collections all over the world and recent solo exhibitions include features in ArtCato at the Conrad Hotel in Quinta do Lago, Portugal, and at the Galerie des Sens in Caen, France.

Henrique’s artistic style remains defined by a combination of controlled lines and spontaneous paint splatters which resemble ink in the form of ballerina paintings. His minimalist palette, predominantly featuring black acrylic paint on white backgrounds, draws attention to the interplay between form and movement. The contrast between stillness and motion becomes a recurring theme, with his works capturing fleeting moments of grace and intensity. Emotional depth becomes conveyed through the raw energy of his strokes, while his focus on the human form often breaks down into abstract shapes and lines, balancing realism with abstraction. Mario’s portrait paintings reflect several series on variations of monotone representational painting followed by smears of colorful paint and sometimes incorporating foreign elements such as geometry and text. There remains a neoclassical element to the portraiture with breaking of form followed by scratchy and thick line quality. Mario often paints on raw canvas which gives off a neutral base reflecting a sketch-like appearance.

Ballerina # 3 (pictured above) showcases a dancer in a moment of serene elegance. Expressive ink splashes create the figure, creating an ethereal, almost ghostly presence. Sharp yet fluid lines suggest poised motion, while splatters of ink add spontaneous vibrancy, enhancing the sense of movement. The dancer appears to be captured in a delicate balance, her form both graceful and fleeting. The minimalist colorway of black acrylic on a stark white background emphasizes the purity and fragility of the moment, drawing the viewer's eye to the intricate interplay of light and shadow. The composition exudes a sense of tranquility and introspection, inviting viewers to contemplate the quiet beauty of dance.

In contrast, Ballerina # 5 (pictured above) offers a dynamic and intense depiction of a dancer in mid-motion. The dancer's limbs are extended in a dramatic twist, captured with bold, vigorous strokes that convey ballet's raw power and passion. Mario’s use of paint splatters and controlled chaos brings a sense of urgency and energy to the piece, reflecting the performance's physical exertion and emotional intensity. The composition feels almost explosive, with paint splatters radiating outwards, suggesting movement extending beyond the canvas's confines. The contrast between the solid black forms and the fluid, almost chaotic lines creates a striking visual tension, emphasizing the dancer's strength and determination. Ballerina # 5 encapsulates the essence of dance as both an art form and an emotional expression, capturing the viewer's attention with dynamic and visceral energy.

Mario Henrique deptics beauty and complexity of human form through movement. His technique, merging deliberate lines with spontaneous splatters and controlled smears, results in both structured and free works, much like the art of the dance. Through controlled experimentation, he portrays the figure within different environments of negative space followed by a variety of sensual and psychologically driven poses and facial expressions. Mario invites viewers into a world where paint and motion converge, creating a captivating visual symphony. The expressive nature of the works help emphasize the importance of dynamism in contemporary art.