Fernando Porras

Through his oil and watercolor portraits, for over two decades Fernando Porras has dedicated himself to bring to life the stories of the people of the rainforest of his native Venezuela and neighboring Brazil and Guyana. 

Like many other communities of the world's rainforests, their civilization is being shattered by the constant exploitation of the area. Porras intent is to create some awareness of the importance of these amazing cultures, and their plight to keep their customs alive.

His pieces raise questions about issues that one way or another touch us all. Beautiful lines, bold strokes, and abstract shapes mingle with the deeper meaning behind his paintings, making them pleasing not only to the eye, but also to the intellect. The work seduces the viewers to take part in quiet conversations with the pieces, involving them in a game of discovery where hidden figures appear and take them by surprise. 

His work with the natives is not created to show how different they are, but to bring to light to how similar we all are. More than portraits, his pieces serve as vehicles for universal themes that make us wonder about our place and responsibilities in this world. They are an invitation to participate.

He divides his studio work between Venezuela, France, and the United States.