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INLAY 01, 2024
Ceramic (layered); wooden frame
134.8 x 109.6 cm
53 x 43 1/4 in
53 x 43 1/4 in
Further images
Diogo Machado's work is a vibrant fusion of influences from the realms of cartoons, video games, and the dynamic skate culture of the 1980s, while simultaneously paying homage to the...
Diogo Machado's work is a vibrant fusion of influences from the realms of cartoons, video games, and the dynamic skate culture of the 1980s, while simultaneously paying homage to the ancient tradition of Portuguese tiles. Machado imbues and reinterprets these elements to craft a distinctive cartoon style that is uniquely his own, with modern and even pop motifs that can only be seen up close. His compositions often incorporate recognizable features, such as the hands of classic characters or the eyes of vintage cartoon figures, seamlessly integrated to create a cohesive visual language.
From the fragmented aesthetics of early video games, particularly the iconic shapes found in Tetris, to the meticulously crafted pieces inspired by medieval English patterns and Portuguese tile tradition, each piece tells a unique story. These artworks break down imagery into small, discrete units, akin to pixels on a screen, and arrange them to form Tetris-like pieces. This pixelation effect pays homage to the nostalgic visuals of classic games while emphasizing the fundamental building blocks of digital art. The series is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of digital deconstruction, creating a mosaic that challenges the viewer to perceive the whole through its individual components.