Beto Duraes

Originally from Brazil and now living in Switzerland, I have been living and working in Geneva since 1983. Trained in landscape architecture, I worked as a landscape architect before joining a Swiss development cooperation NGO, where I worked for over 33 years. 

Passionate about garden design and art in general, I began painting in the late 1990s. Since then, I have organized around twenty exhibitions. 

My artistic universe is the result of the encounter between the warmth and vibrant colors of Brazil and the rigor and precision typical of Switzerland. 

I draw inspiration from everything I experience and observe. As a “visual person,” I am constantly exploring my environment, seeking to capture unique perspectives. 

While painting is my primary means of expression, I also practice photography, sculpture, and garden art. 

In painting, I interpret the world in my own way, simplifying it and seeking the essential, often halfway between abstraction and figuration. I mainly use acrylic on canvas, sometimes incorporating collages, often sand or eggshells. My paintings are colorful and, thanks to their texture, change appearance depending on the angle of view and lighting, offering a unique visual experience. 

My work is solitary, far removed from conventional artistic movements. The choice of painting came naturally during my studies in landscape architecture in Geneva. One day, my wife hung some of my schoolwork on the walls of our home. The positive comments from my loved ones, surprising and motivating, fueled my desire to go further. What started out as a simple hobby gradually turned into a growing passion, through the exhibitions I organized and the 380 works I have created to date. 

For me, painting is a form of meditation. I feel at peace when I have a brush in my hand, creating colorful shapes on the canvas, with Brazilian music playing in the background. Seeing my paintings hanging in the homes of those who appreciate them is a source of great satisfaction.