Ar(ch)itecture: Maristela Ribeiro through the eyes of Josete Garcez

Far beyond form, the work of Maristela Ribeiro transcends purely visual aspects and pictorial aesthetics. Her art astonishes, engages, and provokes reflection. Though she masters line and color, the artist does not confine herself to a single medium: she moves with natural ease and confidence among various artistic languages, captivating us in each of them.

Her solid theoretical background is complemented by direct experience and a curious, investigative gaze. For Maristela, making art is a demanding and rigorous craft; even moments of spontaneous inspiration are examined and deepened, so that they may acquire broader meaning and resonance.

As an architect, I find it fascinating to see her works venture into and expand within the realm of architecture. It is both surprising and joyful to observe her installations that confuse the gaze and the senses, filling voids and emptying solids, in a continuous dialogue between matter and space. What was once merely a building now opens itself to a new perspective of seeing.

Her interventions on walls and surfaces unite what was once separate, while simultaneously disorienting, alerting, and surprising the viewer. It is difficult to summarize or define the vastness of her artistic production, whose strength lies precisely in its ability to offer us a new point of view and to lead us toward a different perception of reality.

Her art invites us to explore possibilities, to think, to question, and to doubt. It moves beyond the boundaries of museums and academic environments; it plays with architecture while seriously addressing contemporary issues such as solitude, inclusion, and the sense of belonging.

Josete Garcez
Art Critic and Historian