Mário Belém (Lisbon, 1977) graduated in graphic design from Ar.Co. He has worked in various communication-related fields, but it is as an illustrator that he has gained greater recognition. Recently, he decided to leave his commercial career behind and dedicate himself exclusively to creating personal projects.
In 2015, he received an invitation to participate in the 3rd edition of the International Village Art Festival, an initiative that brings contemporary art to the ancient village of Xucun, with its 1600 inhabitants, during the month of August. This invitation came as a result of his participation in Djerbahood, a project that brought 150 visual artists from around the world, including Portuguese artists Pantónio, Add Fuel, and Paulo Arraiano, to the island of Djerba in Tunisia. They painted over 300 walls, transforming the island into an open-air museum. Prior to that, he had also participated in the Tour Paris 13 project, a month-long exhibition that was seen by more than 30,000 people. Over 100 artists participated in this project, which involved intervening in a nine-story building that was soon to be demolished.
In recent years, Mário Belém has developed a distinctively unique language – colorful and fun – where he juxtaposes images and words, composing visual narratives that reflect communication, popular culture, and the current human condition. He primarily works with painting on wood, creating sculptural compositions. His work has been showcased in both public spaces and individual and group exhibitions.
