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Student Artwork Guide

Gnu

Name Class Date

Thiago Morales Boemeke, Gnu (2018). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Thiago Morales Boemeke wahooart.com/en/artists/thiago-morales-boemeke/
Artist’s dates
1995 –
Painted
2018
Original size
18 x 24 cm
Movement
Neo Expressionism A rough, urgent return to figure painting in the 1980s, after years of cool abstraction.

In context

Gnu — Thiago Morales Boemeke

How big is it?

The original measures 18 × 24 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1990
  2. 2000
  3. 2010

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span, counting 0 from birth.

Painted when the artist was 23. 0 of the 18 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

▲ this work, 2018 every dated painting, decade by decade

Compare with

  • Beast 7, 2019 wahooart.com/en/art/thiago-morales-boemeke-beast-7-D2P7XB-en/
  • EC19-B4, 2019 wahooart.com/en/art/thiago-morales-boemeke-ec19-b4-D2P73G-en/
  • Beast 6, 2019 wahooart.com/en/art/thiago-morales-boemeke-beast-6-D2P77M-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/thiago-morales-boemeke-gnu-D65UM8-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #484a43

    Catalogued palette

    • #484A43
    • #F8F8F2
    • #ADABA0
    • #74756B

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Thiago Morales Boemeke over the last twelve months — 2 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 85.7%600 visits
    2. 2 United States of America 14.3%100 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 8 most looked-at works by Thiago Morales Boemeke

    1. 1 Involution, 2019 14.3%100 visits
    2. 2 EC19-B4, 2019 14.3%100 visits
    3. 3 At the corner, 2018 14.3%100 visits
    4. 4 Musician, 2018 14.3%100 visits
    5. 5 Creature, 2018 14.3%100 visits
    6. 6 People, 2018 14.3%100 visits
    7. 7 Despedida, 2019 14.3%100 visits
    8. — Gnu, 2018 this painting 0.0%0 visits

    Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 18 works by this artist, of which 7 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Thiago Morales Boemeke

    Born in Not Specified, Brazil

    Thiago Morales Boemeke: Exploring the Void and Human Form

    Born in Brazil in 1995, Thiago Morales Boemeke – often referred to as Thiago Boecan – is a compelling contemporary artist navigating the complexities of modern existence through his distinctive neo-figurative and abstract art. His work, deeply rooted in Brazilian culture yet possessing a universal resonance, centers on themes of emptiness, isolation, and the subtle beauty found within seemingly barren spaces. Boecan’s artistic journey has been marked by consistent experimentation with form, texture, and color, resulting in pieces that are both hauntingly melancholic and profoundly evocative.

    Early Influences and Artistic Development

    Boecan's artistic trajectory began with a fascination for the spaces between things – the voids within architecture, the silences in human interaction. This initial preoccupation naturally led him to explore abstraction as a means of conveying these intangible concepts. Early influences are diverse, drawing from Brazilian Modernism’s exploration of form and color alongside European abstract expressionism. The influence of artists like Lucio Fontana, with his “spatial” cut paintings, is evident in Boecan's willingness to disrupt traditional boundaries and challenge the viewer’s perception of space.

    Brazilian Modernism: The bold use of color and geometric forms found in Brazilian Modernist painters like Cândido Portinari provided a foundational aesthetic.

    Abstract Expressionism: Artists such as Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman, with their emphasis on emotional resonance through simplified shapes and color fields, informed Boecan’s approach to conveying mood and atmosphere.

    Neo-Dada: The deconstruction of traditional forms and the embrace of chance and spontaneity within Neo-Dadaism resonate in Boecan's willingness to experiment with texture and layering.

    A Style Defined by Emptiness and Human Presence

    Boecan’s signature style is characterized by a deliberate exploration of emptiness – not as a void, but as a space pregnant with potential. He frequently depicts human figures, often fragmented or partially obscured, within these expansive voids. These figures aren't always fully rendered; instead, they are suggested through subtle gestures, tonal shifts, and textural variations. The interplay between the absence of detail and the implied presence of humanity creates a powerful sense of unease and introspection.

    Neo-Figurative Approach: Boecan’s work bridges the gap between representation and abstraction, retaining recognizable human forms while simultaneously dissolving their solidity through atmospheric techniques.

    Color Palette: He often employs a restrained color palette – predominantly blacks, whites, grays, and muted earth tones – to heighten the sense of emptiness and create a somber mood. However, subtle shifts in hue and value can introduce moments of unexpected beauty or emotional intensity.

    Texture and Layering: Boecan’s paintings are rarely flat; he builds up layers of paint through meticulous brushwork and textural manipulation, creating surfaces that invite close examination and reveal new details with each viewing.

    Exhibitions and Recognition in Brazil

    Thiago Morales Boemeke’s work has gained increasing recognition within the Brazilian art scene. He has exhibited his paintings in various galleries and spaces throughout Porto Alegre and São Paulo, establishing a dedicated following among collectors and critics alike. His pieces have been featured in online art databases such as WikiArt and ArtsDot, further expanding his visibility.

    Porto Alegre: Boecan’s early career was firmly rooted in the vibrant art scene of Porto Alegre, where he honed his skills and developed his distinctive style.

    São Paulo: He has since gained prominence in São Paulo, one of Brazil's major cultural centers, showcasing his work in prestigious galleries and participating in group exhibitions.

    Contemporary Significance and Future Directions

    Boecan’s art speaks to the anxieties and uncertainties of contemporary life – a world increasingly characterized by isolation, fragmentation, and a sense of displacement. His exploration of emptiness is not merely an aesthetic choice; it's a profound meditation on the human condition. As he continues to develop his artistic practice, Boecan promises to remain a significant voice in the Brazilian art landscape, pushing the boundaries of neo-figurative and abstract expressionism.

    His work invites viewers to contemplate their own experiences of solitude, loss, and the search for meaning within an often overwhelming world. The subtle beauty he finds in these spaces suggests a quiet resilience—a testament to the enduring power of art to illuminate the complexities of human existence.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Gnu

    wahooart.com/en/art/download/thiago-morales-boemeke-gnu-D65UM8-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Boemeke, Thiago Morales. Gnu. 2018, https://wahooart.com/en/art/thiago-morales-boemeke-gnu-D65UM8-en/
    APA
    Boemeke, Thiago Morales (2018). Gnu [Painting]. https://wahooart.com/en/art/thiago-morales-boemeke-gnu-D65UM8-en/
    Chicago
    Thiago Morales Boemeke. Gnu. 2018. https://wahooart.com/en/art/thiago-morales-boemeke-gnu-D65UM8-en/
    Harvard
    Boemeke, Thiago Morales (2018) Gnu. Available at: https://wahooart.com/en/art/thiago-morales-boemeke-gnu-D65UM8-en/

    Look closely

    Gnu — Thiago Morales Boemeke

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at Beast 7 (2019), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. Neo Expressionism: A rough, urgent return to figure painting in the 1980s, after years of cool abstraction. Where can you see that in this work?
    5. Thiago Morales Boemeke was about 23 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Questions & Answers

    From which country does the Neo Expressionism work "Gnu" come?

    "Gnu" connects the Neo Expressionism movement with Brazil through its creator's birthplace.

    How can I get a print of "Gnu" by Thiago Morales Boemeke?

    "Gnu" is available as a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper. Orders are placed on its Fine Art Print page, in the size of your choice.

    How much light do the colors of "Gnu" appear to reflect?

    The colors of "Gnu" show a luminous luminance.