Iran do Espírito Santo shows a new series of drawings on the second floor of Fortes D’Aloia & Gabriel. Não escondido, mas despercebido [Not hidden, but unnoticed] presents twelve works in pencil and gouache on photograms representing daily life objects in concise forms. A door lock, a credit card, a wall socket, and a stiletto blade are some of the objects, mostly reproduced in life size.

The practice of drawing is constant in Iran do Espírito Santo’s career, which also influences his sculptures and large-scale installations. His search for a synthesis of forms is represented in the simplicity of the lines, so that he may explore the relation between the real object and its Platonic idealization. The photograph, in turn, refers to his experience as a laboratory assistant when he was a teenager. Therefore, this new series represents the continuation of these practices, while offering new narratives.

The elements that Iran chose to represent all belong to a domestic environment, but can also be read as signs of security, fixation, and control. The mechanical process of photography is present on the black and uniform surface of the photogram, contrasting with the gestures of the drawing. The composition of the shapes is precise, but the subtle variations denote their handmade nature, done either with graphite pencil, silver pencil, or gouache.

Iran do Espírito Santo was born in Mococa (Brazil) in 1963 and currently lives and works in São Paulo. His solo exhibitions include: OMI International Arts Center, Ghent (USA, 2016), Public Art Fund, New York (USA, 2013); Capela do Morumbi, São Paulo (2013); Estação Pinacoteca, São Paulo (2007); IMMA, Dublin (Ireland, 2006); MAXXI, Rome (Italy, 2006); Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil, Mexico City (Mexico, 2004). The artist has participated in the following biennials: Bienal do Mercosul (2009 and 2005), Bienal de São Paulo (2008 and 1987), Venice Biennale (2007 and 1999), Biennale de Montreal (2007), and Istanbul Biennial (2000). His work is present in several important collections, such as MoMA (New York), SFMOMA (San Francisco), Cifo (Miami), MACBA (Barcelona), TBA21 (Vienna), The Israel Museum (Jerusalem), Inhotim (Brumadinho), MAM (São Paulo), MAM (Rio de Janeiro), Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo (São Paulo), MAC-USP (São Paulo), among others.