Magnolia, 2025
Douglas de Souza is a Brazilian painter whose work explores themes of excess, seduction, and the symbolism of masculinity. His oil paintings feature a saturated, luminous color palette that mimics the sharpness of digital imagery and advertising. Using a collage-like approach, he combines pop culture icons, allegorical references, and kitsch elements to create visually striking compositions.
Recurring motifs in his work-such as swans, horses, porcelain figurines, and anthurium flowers-play with contrasts of strength and fragility, power and ornamentation. By layering these symbols, de Souza examines societal stereotypes and the performative nature of masculinity, blending historical references with a contemporary, high-gloss aesthetic.