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Brazilian street artist incorporates nature as ‘natural hair’ in portraits of black women and girls

4 min read

Good Stuff
Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade

Fabio Gomes is the Afro-Brazilian artist behind viral street art that celebrates black women’s hair using the natural vegetation found in an urban environment.

Street artist combines living flowers with murals to honour black women’s hair

Fabio Gomes is an Afro-Brazilian artist who is drawing worldwide attention for his street art, specifically, for the painting he has made of a black woman with afro and pink hair. The image, which uses real trees and roses, circulated from a wall in Brazil to all social networks.

"I am very happy and surprised by the positive reactions to my work of art. This inspires me to continue doing what I like and to earn a living from it," Gomes told Travel Noire.

Curiously, that same tree ended up being part of one of his most popular works of art.
Gomes came up with the idea of ​​combining graffiti and nature for the first time 10 years ago, when he saw a tree planted in the backyard of a small town house. Curiously, that same tree ended up being part of one of his most popular works of art. Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
The presence of flowering trees or shrubs is essential, since they basically constitute half of the work, and he uses graffiti to represent the faces and part of the hair in the portraits, leaving nature to take care of the rest.
Before working on a new project, the 30-year-old artist first selects the right location. The presence of flowering trees or shrubs is essential, since they basically constitute half of the work, and he uses graffiti to represent the faces and part of the hair in the portraits, leaving nature to take care of the rest. Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
Gomes’ work has caught the attention of many all over the world, including Hollywood star Viola Davis and Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles. Source: Facebook/fabiogomes.trindade
“We do not have the support of investors, and it is not cheap to buy materials to make these works. But I am sure that my art will be liked by many people,
“Being an artist in Brazil is not easy, and it is even more difficult for street artists,” says Gomes. “We do not have the support of investors, and it is not cheap to buy materials to make these works. But I am sure that my art will be liked by many people,” Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
“Although I do not consider myself a black activist, I have always wanted to portray black women with their natural beauty in a majestic way.” Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
The artist has given interviews to the main Brazilian television networks and his art is being published even by celebrities such as Viola Davis, an actress who shared it on her social network, or Cardi B.
Currently Gomes has 95,000 followers on Instagram. The artist has given interviews to the main Brazilian television networks and his art is being published even by celebrities such as Viola Davis, an actress who shared it on her social network, or Cardi B. Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
Portrait of a local character at the spot he likes to sit. Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
“The beauty of black women has always enchanted me, and I strive to pay a beautiful tribute to all black women.” Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
Gomes also takes commissions. Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
This optical illusion is mind boggling! Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
Some of the artist’s work depicts the natural world in all its glory. Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
The joy of books. Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
Gomes’ viral street art has helped put the tiny city of Trindade, located in Brazil’s Midwest state of Goiás, on the map. Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
“I am really happy and surprised about the positive reactions to my artwork. This inspires me to keep doing what I love to do and making a living off it,” Gomes told Travel Noire.
People from nearby cities are visiting the city to take pictures in front of Gomes’ artwork and post it on social media. “I am really happy and surprised about the positive reactions to my artwork. This inspires me to keep doing what I love to do and making a living off it,” Gomes told Travel Noire. Source: Instagram/fabiogomestrindade
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