Folky illustrations from Talita Hoffmann that question life wonderfully

Date
11 May 2012

When making a salad I often become greedy over the choice of ingredients on offer. The multitude of leaves, the bounty of fruit and veg (with the option of meat too) and don’t even get me started on dressings. The problem is I pile everything into a bowl and it’s a clash of tastes and colours ruining my healthy choice. While this clearly doesn’t work with food, there is a skill in doing it in artwork.

Talita Hoffmann is a good example of this in her detailed paintings that draw upon a vast bank of subjects such as animals, plants, rural structures, musical instruments and tools among others. Combined with narratives of healing, misfortune, death and conflict, you think her works would be overwhelming and busy, but somehow all these elements fall together seamlessly.

Based in Brazil, her work does feel exotic and foreign, as though we’re looking at folk paintings. It’s the earthy colours and simple style in her landscapes that emphasise this and draw me in more. By questioning everyday life, it means there are glimmers of some darker moments but this helps prevent her work from becoming twee.

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Talita Hoffmann: Untitled

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Talita Hoffmann: Gas Delivery

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Talita Hoffmann: Truck

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Talita Hoffmann: Autoharp

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Talita Hoffmann: Lighter

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About the Author

Rebecca Fulleylove

Rebecca Fulleylove is a freelance writer and editor specialising in art, design and culture. She is also senior writer at Creative Review, having previously worked at Elephant, Google Arts & Culture, and It’s Nice That.

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