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Meet Kaô Ojuara
Kaô, a Brazilian artist, describes herself as 'a bird with no nest.' Her work is deeply rooted in emotional depth and ethical considerations, reflecting her profound connection to the world around her. Drawing inspiration from her home country, Kaô addresses issues affecting Brazil, including politics, climate change, anti-speciesism, and the rights of both humans and animals. Her art is a powerful exploration of these themes, shaped by her commitment to raising awareness about critical social and environmental issues, always infused with her unique perspective on existence.
Synergistic Interaction: Sources of Suffering That Flow Hidden, 2023
Oil paint, acrylic, and assemblage with various objects, expanded painting
2.97m x 2.25m
"My works are born from a constant restlessness about the fragility of life and the exploitation of capitalism"
'Synergistic Interaction: Hidden Sources of Suffering' delves into the duality of care and exploitation, exposing the incoherence in our relationships with animals.
Take a closer look at the elements that make up 'Synergistic Interaction'
"Cardboard has become the perfect medium to express this duality—the contrast between the fragility of life and the exploitation inherent in capitalism. By choosing a material that is both fragile and disposable, I create a contrast between the powerful, often unsettling content of my paintings and the vulnerability of the medium itself. This reflects my worldview: something that may seem transient or worthless can carry profound, urgent significance". - Kaô
The duality in Kaô's work points to the tension between the fleeting nature of life and the harsh realities of exploitation, suggesting that even the most fragile and discarded things can hold deep, urgent meaning.
Desire for the Infinite, 2022
Oil paint, acrylic paint, collage with paper and threads on cardboard
2.20 x 2.50m
Desire for the Infinite, 2022
Due to the proximity of the electrical wiring to his house, a man loses parts of his body
Desire for the Infinite, 2022
"It is forbidden to be free in this place, REASON: SELECTIVITY"
"Sometimes, the personality disappears, and objectivity develops in such an abnormal way that the contemplation of objects makes you forget your own existence, causing you to confuse yourself with them. Your gaze fixes on a tree bent by the wind. You project your passions, desires, or melancholy onto the tree; the groans and the swaying become yours, and soon, you are the tree. Similarly, the bird soaring in the depths of the sky initially represents the immortal longing to rise above human concerns, but then, you are the bird itself... The vices of men, so full of horror as we suppose, contain proof of their taste for the infinite."
'Desire For the Infinite' reflects on the selective impacts of Brazil's drug war policy, which disproportionately affects the poor, Black individuals, young people from marginalised communities, and those abandoned and unjustly treated by the State and capitalist society. Her art is a response to these injustices, aiming to give a voice to the oppressed.
@thevisionofkao
@thevisionofkao
@thevisionofkao
Some advice
"Stay true to yourself and listen to what your heart is telling you. The soul has its reasons, and we must pay attention because desire demands that we create from within. Don’t give up. Reject capitalism and narrow thinking. Let art and sensitivity be your guiding force. If money comes, that’s great, but as long as we have bread, wine, and paints, we don’t even need brushes—our willpower will make us use our fingers".
Staying inspired
"It's essential to remain open to the world, keep thinking and feeling, and maintain a childlike curiosity—a luminous, inquisitive gaze. I see moments of idleness as a valuable part of the process. Sometimes, I go a while without painting, but I turn to poetry. There are times when I can’t bear to look at my own reflection, but life—or someone—gives me a nudge, and I’m compelled to create something from it".
Biggest challenge
"Being misunderstood and undervalued. I often think of Van Gogh, who only sold one painting during his lifetime—I've yet to sell any. Sometimes, I feel that the depth and pain I bring to my work are difficult for people to confront. It would require them to make room for significant change, which they’re often unwilling to do".
Eu Mereço, 'I deserve'
In current development
@thevisionofkao
How we met..
I met Kaô this year while she was travelling in Albania, and honestly, her energy was incredible. She was in the middle of her own creative journey, figuring things out and pouring herself into her art. There was something so inspiring about how she navigated both her artistic process and the world around her. She uses her art to speak out about politics, injustice, and the things that truly matter, all while staying completely true to herself. That’s what really inspires me—her ability to stay authentic, tackle big issues, and channel everything she feels and believes into her work. It’s that kind of honesty and passion that makes her such a unique and powerful artist.
Check out her Instagram and follow her creative journey.
@thevisionofkao