Mariana Rocha is a visual artist and teacher born in 1988, in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. She has a degree in Visual Arts (2013) from the State University of Rio de Janeiro and a master's degree in Visual Arts (2021) from the Postgraduate Program in Arts at the same institution.
In her work, she investigates the existence of a sea within her own body, while forming relationships with marine fauna, especially with animals classified as molluscs. From this, her work seeks to recover and engender new spaces of freedom and develop defense and healing strategies.
In her work, Mariana Rocha sees particular similarities with the octopus, which at the beginning of the evolution of its species freed itself from its shell in order to reveal itself and evolve freely. This space of freedom is Rocha's field of research. Rocha is looking for the courage to confront the barriers of skin colour and origin. Furthermore, she sees the salt water in which these molluscs live, the water on which millions of Africans deported to the Americas sailed. She sees it as a means of reconnection and healing.
Solo Shows
2023 - Seeing in dark water. HOA Galeria, São Paulo/SP, BR.
2021-2022 - To investigate the sea I needed to go through the skin. HOA Galeria, São Paulo/SP, BR.
2016 - Entrelaços. Sala José Cândido de Carvalho, Niterói /RJ, BR.
Art Fairs
2024 - SP-Arte. São Paulo/SP, BR.
2023 - Frieze London. London, UK.
2023 - ARPA (solo show). São Paulo/SP, BR.
2022 - 154 Paris. Paris, FR.
2022 - Zonamaco. México, ME.
Selected Group Shows
2023 - Dos Brasis - Art and black thinking. SESC Belenzinho, São Paulo/SP, BR.
2023 - ABRASAR: Wherever you want the act, I am spirit. NONADA Galeria, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, BR.
2023 - From flight to nostrils to breathe, arms wide, messages in the wind. HOA Galeria, São Paulo/SP, BR.
2022 - Possible Agreements. Mendes Wood DM, Bruxelas, BE.
2022 - For now: the first 40 years. UFF Arts Center, Niterói/RJ, BR.
2021 - Water marks: we must remember. HOA Galeria, London, UK.
2021 - Aqui estou y mantenho. HOA Galeria, São Paulo/SP, BR.
2021 - Campo/contracampo. Galeria Aymoré, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, BR.
2020 - Actions inscribed, stories rewritten. Diáspora Galeria, São Paulo/SP, BR.
2020 - All the noise that overflows my silence. Memorial Getúlio Vargas, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, BR.
2019 - A seco. Espaço de Intervenção Cultural Tipografia, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, BR.
2019 - Living under fire. Federal Justice Cultural Center, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, BR.
2018 - destraços. UFF Arts Center, Niterói/RJ, BR.
2018 - Indícios. Paço Imperial, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, BR.
2017 / 2018 - 24o Salão de Artes Plásticas de Praia Grande/SP, BR.
2016 - Latinas. SESC Ramos, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, BR.
2016 - 15o Salão de Arte de Guarulhos/SP, BR.
2015 / 2016 - Mostra Bienal CAIXA de Novos Artistas. Itinerante: Curitiba/PR, São Paulo/SP, Brasília/DF, Fortaleza/CE, Recife/PE,
Salvador/BA e Rio de Janeiro/RJ, BR.