Art is a universal language that allows us to convey emotion, storytelling and abstract concepts without saying a word. There is something special about being able to relate to a piece of art created by someone on the other side of the planet. Art evokes a type of deep resonance at an almost spiritual level, it transcends boundaries and country borders, allowing pure humanity to flow out from the canvas.
For Chica Sales, though, her art is simply an expression of her life. Ask her fans and followers, and they will say that her work embodies a feeling that words cannot do justice – a sense of connection to somewhere you have never been that is hauntingly beautiful. Chica, though, simply calls her art “African contemporary painting”.
Chica Sales is a grassroots artist from Mozambique who is deeply connected to her home, which is strikingly apparent in her work. Having spent decades touring the globe and exhibiting her work in art museums and galleries in France, China, the USA, Portugal and beyond, Chica Sales is driven to create vibrant pieces of art for the world to enjoy and appreciate.
A world of colour on canvas
Chica sat down with us to discuss her art, her motivation and her drive to create luscious works of art. When discussing what kind of message she wanted her audience to pick up on, she said: “My paintings are inspired by everyday African women’s lives. It is a hard life, but colourful. When you go out of the city you come across all I paint and you can find identity in many of my paintings. When the audience comes to my exhibition you often will listen to people saying that the paintings remind them of scenery in the street.”
With such a universal goal in mind for her work – essentially portraying the natural colour of everyday life in Mozambique – it is easy to understand why Chica’s work has captivated so many. At first glance, it may appear to be a nice painting with African themes. In reality, her work manages to capture a truly unique glimpse into a life that is borne out of struggle, hard work and vibrant culture that inspires and motivates.
A deeper meaning
Some of her paintings, like The Water, The Book and The Moon show Chica at her finest – incorporating a vibrant style and merging realism and abstract concepts to create a captivating story through her art. She described this piece as “…the water dilemma and the craving for learning and the moon witnessing and giving light into the night.”
The depth and complexity of themes found in this painting might not be apparent at first glance, but that is what makes Chica Sale’s work so universally acclaimed. Although accessible on a first look, upon closer inspection there is a deeper, universal meaning to the subject.
With such complexity bubbling just under the surface of Chica’s work, it comes as no surprise that her next evolution in art will be something less tangible – the world of abstract art.
A difficult journey
Chica has been painting since 1978, as a hobby, but it wasn’t until 1996 that her work began to garner attention from local galleries in Mozambique. This initial flurry of interest left Chica hopeful that her art was making an impact, but Mozambique is a difficult place to launch a budding career as a painter.
Chica knows too well that the journey of an artist can be a lonely one, particularly in a country with limited resources for art galleries and museums. When asked who helped her gain entry into the art world, she said, “Nobody. We don’t have that kind of help. Sometimes we get a sponsor for a particular exhibition, but it’s difficult being an artist in my country.”
Thankfully, the challenges that she faced in getting her art to the masses has not slowed Chica down. When asked how she managed to break past those initial hurdles, she said, “Just painting, and I always showcase my work and don’t waste any opportunity that comes along. I just love what I do.”
With a natural passion for her work, Chica has not let these setbacks slow her down. In fact, she has immersed herself in her own world of art, working alone most of the time to fully absorb her thoughts and lay them bare on canvas.
Finding peace in painting
Her approach to painting is solitary in nature, with her studio becoming a type of sanctuary for her to work distraction-free. When asked if she allows clients to approve work before it is completed she said, “I don’t allow that to happen. My workplace is mine, you can visit my workplace and appreciate what is already done.”
When discussing how she gets in the mindset to paint a piece, she noted that: “I let my soul guide me through the canvas, sometimes I have an idea and put it on paper and when I feel like painting, I take the idea to the canvas.”
Chica seems to feel that her work is bigger than her, using her body as a vessel for the thoughts and inspirations to bleed out onto the canvas for the world to appreciate. When touching on what defines her as an artist, she stated, “Not being pressured to work just because you need to sell – then you do not paint when you are inspired. I don’t like to book any exhibition and then work for that or paint in a different style because it sells more. Unfortunately, many artists have to make a living and end up selling their souls. I work in Interior Design and Civil Engineering, I paint but I don’t have pressure to do so. Of course, I like to sell my work but I do not feel pressured to do that.”
Looking ahead
The future for Chica is very promising – with a healthy number of paintings in the works, she has had time to focus on more important things. During the pandemic, Chica has spent much of her time designing and giving out masks to her local community.
It is clear after only an afternoon of speaking with Chica Sales that her art is special, as is her approach to creating her work. As a bicultural artist with deep ties to Mozambique, Chica Sales offers the world a unique glimpse of the everyday life of Mozambique, with a unique flair and style that is utterly captivating.