This exhibit was in residence January 15 through March 31, 2021.
LICM continues its A Community of Artists series with Brazilian-born artist Ernani Silva.
Ernani Silva was born in Rio de Janeiro, where he encountered many adversities. At the age of four Ernani began to display artistic gifts but his father discouraged any involvement with the arts. As a young man, Silva relocated to the United States, where he was encouraged as an artist by Prof. H. Blake of Columbia University.
Silva’s distinctive style reflects his Brazilian cultural influence. His creations are an amalgam of dance, rhythm, music and color, which reflect his rich mystical heritage and history.
Ernani Silva captures movement and energy in his creations.
Silva has always worked with various mediums; creating new textural forms and compositions. By infusing collages, acrylic, oil and organic elements, he brings a new dimension through multimedia. The material itself does not matter to him. Look carefully at this paintings and you will find organic elements like beans, coffee, spices, tree branches, eggshells, orange peels. These materials allow him to create works with unique colors and textures.
Organic materials provide Silva with new color additions for his palette.
Artist in Residency
Art is All Around You: Creating with Ernani Silva
Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Ernani Silva joins young artists virtually at this co-lead workshop at LICM. Discover the art that is all around you! Learn how Ernani captures movement and energy in his creations while viewing the world around him from a unique perspective. Make multi-sensory art while celebrating the beauty of everyday materials to create your own painting using spices, beans, coffee and paint!
Designed for children 3 and up, this workshop is free, but requires a ticket. Class size is limited. SOLD OUT.
Ernani’s Inspirations
Ernani loves music… he plays multiple instruments and always has music playing while he paints. He has shared some of his favorite songs. Listen to the music that inspires him and see how it influences the art you create.
Ernani’s Playlist:
- “She Moves On” – Paul Simon
- “Agua de Berber” – Antônio Carlos Jobim
- “So What” – Miles Davis
- “Chico Malandro” – Ana Firmino
- “Cabo Verde_ – Cesária Évora
- Tchaikovsky's “Melody in E-flat” – Bela Fleck
- “River”- Joni Mitchell
- “Gift of Love II: Ocean of Ecstasy” – Deepak Chopra
- “Dindi” - Antônio Carlos Jobim
- “Tive Razao” - Seu Jorge
Making and listening to music are favorite activities for Ernani Silva.
Advice for Children (and Grownups)
What advice does Ernani give to children? “Just paint,” he says. “Don’t worry about mistakes. ‘Accidents’ can become a masterpiece.” He believes that learning comes with opportunity; “the more that children can create the more they will learn from the experience.”
He encourages grownups to guide children to places to create art. It doesn’t need to be a formal setting. “Look at your backyard. See the art on the ground or in a tree.”
A Community of Artists series comprises three exhibitions in the KaleidoZone Gallery and artists-led workshops for visitors and schoolchildren.
A Community of Artists series is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
