Artist: Nuno Gil

Gallery Rosenfeld presents Underwater Stories, the first solo exhibition of Portuguese artist Nuno Gil.

Gil’s work is a world of ‘wonder,’ captivating audiences of all ages with his intricate cut-outs and dynamic compositions. His unique approach to collage—using materials like wood and leather— demonstrates an extraordinary creativity, unlike anything seen before. In addition to his cut-out work, Gil is also a refined painter, employing delicate, flowing lines with a fine brush.

Water is central to his practice, symbolizing connection and fluidity. As Gil describes, “Water fills the empty spaces between things, connecting everything and making it all one.” His compositions are teeming with organic shapes—fish, anemones, boats, rain, and underwater plants—creating a mesmerizing, layered effect that evokes the silent glass of an aquarium, slowing time both conceptually and in his meticulous creative process.

This exhibition marks both a culmination and a new beginning for the artist. Revisiting childhood memories, the idea of a deluge becomes a metaphor for renewal, bridging the end of one phase and the start of another. His pioneering cut-out technique transforms paintings into sculptural experiences, combining delicacy and depth in a way that is innovative, democratic and profoundly joyful. In today’s world, such moments of delight are truly to be treasured.