Mário Belém (1977) worked as a digital illustrator and graphic designer for several years, yet the desire to get his hands dirty with paint again and focus on his artwork proved stronger.
Today he works with equal skill on both the small-scale pieces he creates in the studio and on the large-scale murals that have earned him a leading role in the burgeoning Portuguese urban art scene. Over the last few years he has been solidifying a distinctively personal language – colourful and playful – where he frequently juxtaposes images and words, composing visual narratives of a magical nature that are rooted in a balance between the familiar and the unusual and that explore various subjects inherent to communication, popular culture and the present human condition. Working mainly the medium of painting on wood in compositions of a sculptural nature, he has been presenting his oeuvre in both the public space and in solo and group exhibitions.
Mário Belém
Lives in Carcavelos, near Lisbon in Portugal. Studied graphic design at Ar.Co in Lisbon.
Worked as an illustrator from 2002 until 2015, currently working as a painter and muralist.
Solo shows
“That awkward moment between birth and death” , Underdogs Gallery 2020
“Interrupted Story” Underdogs Gallery, Lisboa 2017
“You should pass by I have so much to say to you” ” Art Room, Lisboa 2016
“There is only one truth: the way out is through the mirror” Rua do Teixeira 39, Lisboa 2015
“Mário Who?” Montana Gallery, Lisboa 2013
Selected Collective Shows
“Surf Vibes” Adda Gallery, Ibiza 2022
“Lucha de Gigantes” Only You Hotel, Madrid 2021 / Sala Pignatelli, Zaragoza 2022
“Love and Colours” OD Gallery, Amsterdam 2019
“Made in Portugal” GCA Gallery, Paris 2018
“Oitavo” Galeria Oitavo, Porto 2018
“Nexus”, Thinkspace ,Glendale 2016
“Scope”, Thinkspace New York 2016
“Pow! Wow!”, Thinkspace Honolulu 2016
“LA Art Show”, Los Angeles 2016
“Soma”, Underdogs Gallery, Lisboa 2014
“ARTURb”, LAC, Lagos 2014
“Lendo as Estrelas”, Palácio do Egipto, Oeiras 2014
“Urban Now”, Galeria Metamorfose, Porto 2014
Bistro 100 Maneiras, Lisboa 2014
CCP, 2013
Galeria em Projecto, Sesimbra 2013
Highlighted mural projects
“Liberdade (em equilíbrio periclitante)” Alcântara, Portugal.
“Tanto se me faz…” Carcavelos, Portugal.
“Lisboa menina e moça” Alvalade, Portugal.
“Antes perdida por aqui algures…” Graça, Portugal.
“Adoro estar sozinho…” Barreiro, Portugal.
“Mural comemorativo dos 150 anos da Abolição da Pena de Morte em Portugal” Sta Apolónia, Lisboa, Portugal.
“Não te esqueças de ser FELIZ”, Viseu, Portugal.
Xucun, Art Residency – Shan Xi, China.
Djerbahood, Art Residency – Derba, Tunisia.
Tour Paris 13, Art Residency – paris, France.
Centro de Artes e Espectáculos, Figueira da Foz, Portugal.
Mural da Rua da Lionesa, Matosinhos, Portugal.
Murais da escadaria da Pensão Amor, Cais do Sodré, Lisboa, Portugal.