ABOUT

Monica Mar (b.1986) is a self-taught artist based in Portugal. She uses the combination of graphite, charcoal and soft pastel on paper to create realistic drawings. The search for high contrasts in black and white seeks to create an even greater impact. And through pencils she found her true passion and her niche.

 

Her large-scale works evoke deep emotions, deafening silences. Monica essentially explores realism, mixed with the "surrealist" representation of emotions, symbolism and the idea of an oneiric space. Monica’s works not only tell parts of her story, but also aim to provoke powerful feelings and thoughts in the audience, where they can project their own experiences. She tries to represent silenced pains and cries, wounded souls, traumas, emotional health, while embracing the beauty present in every state of mind.

 

For Monica Mar, Art has been a part of her life.

After studying at an Art and Architecture University, Monica completed a Master's Degree in Architecture in 2013.

Shortly after completing her degree, she moved to London - UK, where she worked in many random jobs, but mainly as an Interior Designer. After a few years, and living in Spain, Monica decided to take a break from this professional area, as she no longer felt personally and emotionally connected and fulfilled (especially after becoming a mother) and took the risk of dedicating herself exclusively to her drawings.

In recent years, back in Portugal, Monica has been developing her own artistic language and style.