Today we’d like to introduce you to Natália De Matos Oliani

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I grew up on the island of Florianópolis in southern Brazil, surrounded by the artistic influence of my grandmother, Hortência, whose oil paintings filled our home. I was also immersed in the creative energy of my mother and her sisters, who made everything from fabric dolls to candles, as well as local artists like Elias Andrade and Caio Borges. From a young age, I was known as the “artist kid” in school, secretly attending my grandmother’s painting classes and creating my first piece under her guidance. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I focused primarily on drawing. My mother encouraged this passion by providing me with art supplies, and I began designing dolls with large heads and eyes, captivated by the process of creating and styling their outfits.

It wasn’t until I spent a year studying in Canada at 17, where I had daily art classes, that painting and exploring other media became integral to my life. There, I expanded into large-scale charcoal drawings, paintings, and collages. When I returned home, I revisited my earlier drawings and realized that the large eyes I used to draw were my way of expressing emotions I couldn’t verbalize. I started developing creatures with big heads and eyes to channel my feelings.

After Canada, I understood that I could pursue a career as an artist. With the encouragement of my godmother, I began preparing to apply to art schools abroad. Over two years, I worked on my English, built a portfolio with the help of friends and local artists, and eventually secured a scholarship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 2017.

Moving to NYC was challenging—I faced personal losses, financial struggles, and homesickness, but I was determined not to give up. During my first year, I continued to create those creatures in various forms—paintings, drawings, sculptures. However, after the loss of my grandfather, I struggled to create anything at all. It was in a class with my professor, Andrea Belag, that I made my first abstract painting, inspired by love as a theme during my grieving process.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I missed human connection, so I began a series of paintings and drawings based on conversations with others, finding new ways to express the emotions shared with me. This marked another evolution in my artistic journey.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It hasn’t been a smooth road. As I mentioned earlier, I spent two years preparing to apply for a scholarship at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. When I finally got there, it wasn’t easy. I struggled financially, lived in precarious conditions for a few months, and didn’t have enough money for food or art supplies. I relied on materials given to me by professors, colleagues, or even things I found on the street. Eventually, the school supported me by providing a dorm room and metro passes, which helped immensely.

In 2018, I lost my grandfather, which hit me hard. I was already dealing with depression, and not being able to be with my family in Brazil during that time worsened things. I struggled to create art for a while, but when the COVID pandemic hit, I had to return to my hometown as the dorms closed. That period, combined with a bioenergetic medicine treatment, Reiki, and being surrounded by my friends and family, helped me heal.

After the pandemic, I returned to NYC to finish my studies. I had to retake a class to apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training), which would allow me to work for a year after graduation. However, I had to leave the dorms, work more than 40 hours a week at a restaurant to afford rent, and still find time to complete my thesis and artwork. It was one of the most challenging times in my life.

Now, things are starting to look up. I’m organizing my life and career, seeking opportunities to grow and showcase my work. I’m applying for artist residencies and working on a piece for my first museum group show in my hometown.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

At the moment, my main focus is the Dialogue Series. I’ve been working on a new piece based on conversations I had with my grandmother. This series emerged from my need to establish genuine connections that go beyond conventional language. It began in Florianópolis, Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic—a time of global isolation—and initially unfolded on social media. I invited individuals to share their personal stories, ranging from everyday experiences to profound reflections, which then became the inspiration for my creative process.

Each piece in the series is a unique expression of these interactions, where shared stories are transformed into abstract visual representations. These works are not traditional portraits but rather visual dialogues, capturing the essence of the emotional landscapes of the individuals involved. The series is about the unspoken—communicating through colors, shapes, and patterns, much like emotions that flow and shift in response to life.

I engage with participants in public spaces that allow for intimate conversations, such as bars, cafes, and galleries, where stories and emotions are freely shared and interpreted. The process is deeply collaborative and introspective, focusing on subtle nuances like body language and unspoken words to reveal the emotional undercurrents beneath the surface. The resulting drawings and paintings are visual echoes of these exchanges, offering viewers a glimpse into the inner worlds of the participants.

Through this work, I aim to show how art can transcend verbal communication, fostering deeper understanding and connection. I’m also open to commissioned dialogues, as I love exploring people’s emotions and life stories, translating them into visual forms that reflect both their inner world and the shared human experience.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?

I don’t approach connecting with people in a strategic way—I prefer to follow my intuition and let my energy and spiritual guides lead me to where I need to be or who I need to meet. However, one thing I’ve learned is not to be afraid to reach out and share your story. Movement creates movement, and to reach new goals or change your path, you have to engage with the rhythm of life. On a more practical note, don’t hesitate to talk to your friends, professors, and the people around you. Let them know what you’re looking for—there’s always someone who knows someone that can help you on your journey.

Pricing:

• To commission a piece from the Dialogue Series or to receive my artwork catalog, please email me at [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nataliaoliani.com
• Instagram: @nataliaoliani
• Other: https://vimeo.com/nataliaoliani