ART CITIES:Paris-Marepe

Marepe, Spaceship parking, 2016, aluminum basins and bicycle tires, 70 x 20 cm each, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler ArchiveThe work of the Brazilian artist Marepe has evolved from a deep connection with the local traditions, customs, and materials of Bahia, the Northeastern region of Brazil predominantly populated with descendants of black slaves. As he often uses readymade materials and everyday objects or activities, Marepe’s work has acquired a complex layering of references and meanings.

By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Galerie Max Hetzler Archive

In his solo exhibition “Suave na nave”, Marepe presents new works at Galerie Max Hetzler in Paris. The title of the exhibition translates as “smooth on the ship”, a popular Brazilian expression which means taking it easy despite the frantic pace of the world around. The exhibition attempts to create this slow pace with the use of everyday materials and objects that bring in references to customs and practices specific to smaller Brazilian towns, such as saddles, vines and birdcages. Living and working in the Brazilian Northeast, Marepe’s work is pervaded with a rich cultural mix of European and African traditions specific to this region, one of the poorest of the country. The thematic repertoire of Marepe’s oeuvre is strongly influenced by the artist’s origins and personal life. Numerous work echo the ingenuity of Bahia’s street vendors and the long hours spent in his father’s hardware store. Marepe’s sculptures are made from everyday materials such as plastic buckets and tables, ironing boards, brooms, bicycles, wheelbarrows, and chipboard. Some titles, such as “Embutido Sanfona” are inspired by popular music, others are factual and descriptive, like “Empilhamento”. Marepe refers to his sculptural arrangements as necessities rather than readymades so as to stress their social influences. Among the works that are on presentation are: “The Small Town” a collection of wrapping papers from shops in Santo Antônio de Jesus where the artist lives that began 20 years ago. These papers have now been replaced by plastic and memorialize a town that lived with few services and resources. When walking around the town, Marepe often catches sight of objects from remote countries, mainly from Chinese shops with peculiar merchandise, alongside local products from the countryside. From this encounter with these globalized goods emerged the work “The World is Small”, consisting of vine baskets, traffic cones and toys from China. The two “Raio X” paintings were made from prints of objects. They refer to the ready-made, taking things from their original context and transforming them into figures that reveal the diverse range of products we have in our lives or in our memories. The sculpture “Garçons”, are always ready to serve us, guaranteeing moments of pleasure and joy with their friendly chat and precise attention. They reflect Marepe’s deep concern for social and human interactions.

Info: Galerie Max Hetzler, 57 rue du Temple, Paris, Duration: 21/1-4/3/17, Days & Hours: Tue-Sat 11:00-19:00, www.maxhetzler.com

Marepe, Garçons (Waiters), 2016, metal and polyethylene, 180 x 100 x 138 cm each, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive
Marepe, Garçons (Waiters), 2016, Metal and polyethylene, 180 x 100 x 138 cm each, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive

 

 

Marepe, Natureza viva (Live Nature), 2016, Ceramic hollow brick, saw blades, iron rebar, 150 x 180 cm, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive
Marepe, Natureza viva (Live Nature), 2016, Ceramic hollow brick, saw blades, iron rebar, 150 x 180 cm, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive

 

 

Marepe, Arroz e Feijão (Rice and Beans), 2016, Acrylic spheres and stickers, ∅ 55 cm each, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive
Marepe, Arroz e Feijão (Rice and Beans), 2016, Acrylic spheres and stickers, ∅ 55 cm each, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive

 

 

Marepe, A pequena cidade (The Small Town), 2016, Paper, glass, aluminum, 138 x 147 cm, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive
Marepe, A pequena cidade (The Small Town), 2016, Paper, glass, aluminum, 138 x 147 cm, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive

 

 

Marepe, O mundo é pequeno (The world is small), 2016, Vine baskets, plastic, rubber, metal and wood, 110 x 190 x 90 cm, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive
Marepe, O mundo é pequeno (The world is small), 2016, Vine baskets, plastic, rubber, metal and wood, 110 x 190 x 90 cm, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive

 

 

Left: Marepe, Civilização brasileira (Brazilian Civilization), 2016, Horse riding saddle, wood, ceramics and lead, 95 x 102 x 30 cm, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive. Right: Marepe, Embutido I (Built-in I), 2016, Acrylic wire and wood, 114 x 61 x 60 cm, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive
Left: Marepe, Civilização brasileira (Brazilian Civilization), 2016, Horse riding saddle, wood, ceramics and lead, 95 x 102 x 30 cm, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive. Right: Marepe, Embutido I (Built-in I), 2016, Acrylic wire and wood, 114 x 61 x 60 cm, © the artist, Galerie Max Hetzler Archive