Bela Silva: a Layered Practice

Portugese-born artist Bela Silva is currently based between Lisbon and Brussels. With a practice in – amongst other disciplines – ceramics and drawing the artist focuses on nature. Silva recently set up her studio in Zaventem Ateliers where she explores her layered practice. TLmag sat down with the artist to discuss work, practice, and her participation in the group exhibition Threads of Nature at Spazio Nobile Gallery.

TLmag: Your practice seems to consist of drawings and ceramics, can you tell us a bit more about the choice of medium in connection with themes your work concerns itself with?

Bela Silva (B.S.): I work with two mediums and I don’t really think about my choice of material, I like to work with both. The themes that my work concerns itself with nature, nature is what inspires me. When I’m inspired, I mix everything and choose whichever medium comes naturally.

TLmag: For the show Threads of Nature at Spazio Nobile Gallery, you’ve made sculptures. Can you tell us a bit about this work?

B.S.: For the show Threads of Nature at Spazio Nobile Gallery I made sculptures. These sculptures have very simple shapes which are inspired by nature but have more geometric shapes. It’s all about the shapes, which I wanted to be something simple yet strong.

TLmag: With the exhibition narrative of Threads of Nature going into the relationship between humans and the planet, how do you think your work reflects or adds to this narrative?

B.S.: When I was doing this work for this exhibition, I was not thinking about the theme necessarily. My work is not specifically related to how humans treat the planet. Honestly,  I believe the planet is treated badly and with little respect. 

TLmag: How do you think your work, and in turn, the exhibition Threads of Nature, is influenced by the current covid-19 pandemic? 

B.S.: I’m so tired of Covid-19, we’re all at our limit. The situation has especially been difficult for me, as an artist living in two countries. The situation definitely affected (build-up of) the exhibition, also in the sense of being less able to move around. I just hope that all these finished soon as possible in our remit

Cover image: Bela Silva, photo Margaux Nieto, courtesy of Spazio Nobile Gallery.