My connection with the Coromandel is deeply personal. It was one of the first places where I began building my life in Aotearoa. Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, I was always used to the chaos and intensity of a big city. Then, when I arrived in Whitianga, I found myself surrounded by a completely different pace of life. Among the tranquillity, the landscapes and the community, I found something I never expected: a true sense of belonging.
Thanks to the artistic atmosphere of the place, I had the opportunity to meet incredible people who went out of their way to support and encourage my work. Through these connections, I began to realise that my art also had a place there, and that I could become part of the community through it.
I had the opportunity to create some illustrations for the first edition of Coromind and, more recently, I had the pleasure of holding my first solo art exhibition at Hula Cafe in Whitianga. It was a very important experience for me. I felt incredibly happy seeing my work displayed for people to experience, and it was really special to watch the reactions of those who came into the café, stopped to look, and took the time to discover my work. It was there that I began to realise the value my art could have and started to see a possible path forward. Through the feedback and conversations I had with people, I also gained a clearer vision of the steps I would like to take next.
I have been drawing since I was a child, but it was during the pandemic that I had my first truly meaningful experience with painting. I remember watching art videos and step-by-step tutorials, much like the ones Bob Ross used to make. One day, I decided to give it a try and bought a canvas. I really liked the result and, from that moment on, I became increasingly interested in exploring different forms of art.
Perhaps that is why I find it difficult to define my work within a single style. I often describe myself as a kind of ‘walking metamorphosis’. I am always looking for new forms, materials, techniques, styles and different ways to express myself.
When I look at my drawings and paintings, I can see certain connections between them whether through the line work, recurring characters or particular characteristics that appear again and again. At the same time, there are works that are completely different from one another, where I experiment with different techniques, formats and forms of expression.
I don’t like being restricted to a single style, subject or material. I enjoy having the freedom to change and experiment. I believe life is too short not to take risks and explore new paths. Tattooing, for example, is one of those paths I want to explore further, especially because of my connection with the culture and the opportunity it gives me to take my art into a new form of expression.
For me, art represents freedom. Through it, I can express myself in whatever way I choose, without having to limit myself to a single form, technique or language. Perhaps that freedom is exactly what makes me want to experiment so much and continue searching for new ways to create.
I am still discovering where all of this will take me. And for me, perhaps that is the most exciting part: not knowing exactly what the next path will be, but always having the desire to explore it.
Instagram: @lucasrocha_art
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