Maria Auxiliadora Da Silva

Maria Auxiliadora;Maria Auxiliadora Da Silva

Place: Campo Belo

Born: 1935

Death: 1974

Biography:

Maria Auxiliadora da Silva

was a self-taught Brazilian painter born in Campo Belo, MG, Brazil in 1935. She moved to São Paulo at the age of three and later stopped her education at 12 to work as a housekeeper, only returning to get an education in 1972, at age 37.

Artistic Themes and Style

Her work is characterized by bold colors, thick textures, and mixed media. Maria Auxiliadora da Silva's paintings center largely on the following themes and genres:

Everyday community life and popular manifestations in São Paulo, particularly in the neighborhoods of Brasilândia and Casa Verde.
Afro-Brazilian religions, specifically Candomblé, Trinidad Orisha, and Umbada.
Self-portraits in which she represents herself as an artist, a bride, and a woman living with cancer.
Intimacy and affection between women.
Urban and rural life.

Museum Collections and Exhibitions

Although her work is not extensively featured in major museums, some of her pieces can be found in private collections and online platforms. For instance, the Museu Antonio Parreiras (Niterói, Brazil) [https://Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/O/A@D3ARWM] has a collection that might interest those who appreciate Brazilian art.

Legacy and Influence

Maria Auxiliadora da Silva's

legacy is marked by her unique, self-taught approach to painting. Her bold use of colors and textures continues to inspire artists, particularly in the context of Brazilian art. Unfortunately, she passed away on August 20, 1974, at the age of 39, due to cancer.