João Marçal works mostly in painting in a continued research of abstract formalism. His practice is informed by a ludic sensibility combined with a deep engagement with this medium from a historical and technical standpoint. Seemingly abstract in appearance, the works are crafted with a sense of humor and directness that monumentalizes the decorative. Serial repetitions of abstract shapes and the colors from everyday life are matched by the artist with exacting precision on the surface, evoking and distorting the original which the painting both relies on and displaces.
Since 2005, Marçal has developed a music alter ego Marçal dos Campos with so far, six original electronic music albums, all of them self-published. The “One Man One Reason” compilation can be found here.
Joao Marçal has been showing his work since 2003. Recent solo shows include: 2015, “Quarto”, Galeria Graça Brandão, Lisbon; 2014, “Goin’ Blind”, Parkour, Lisbon; 2013, “We’re All Alone”, Galeria Adhoc, Vigo, Portugal; 2012, “D.ª Maria Amélia”, Galeria Nuno Centeno, Porto. For group shows the most marking ones are: 2015, “Unfolding Modernisms (for future thoughts)”, Ivaliden1 Galerie (curated by Miguel von Hafe Perez), Berlin; 2014, “Sub 40”, Galeria Municipal da Biblioteca Almeida Garret, Porto; 2014, “Sem Quartel”, Sismógrafo, Porto; 2014, “Apesar de Tudo ainda se Fodia”, Maus Hábitos, Porto;2012, “Collecting Collections and Concepts”, Fábrica ASA, Guimarães, Potugal; “Meet me round the corner (in five minutes)”, Spike Island in Bristol, UK; “PILOT: 3”, La Guidecca – Venice/London
Gallery: Galeria Graça Brandão, Lisbon
Previous venues include among others: PLMJ Foundation, Lisbon; Ilídio Pinho, Porto; RAR Holding Collection, Porto
http://www.soundcloud.com/marcal-dos-campos
http://www.soundcloud.com/marcal-dos-campos
João Marçal 3-month residency is made possible with support from Atelier-Museu Júlio Pomar/ EGEAC, Lisbon, Portugal and the ongoing studio partnership with Residency Unlimited. Image: João Marçal, Surf 2013, acrylic on clay pot, 32cm x 36,5cm x 36,5cm