Let The Sun Come In

In anticipation of a new restaurant opening at Casa Faena this fall, Brazilian artist João Incerti has created a vibrant tropical oasis in the hotel’s dining room with his mural titled “Let the Sun Come In.”

 ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN FAENA JOURNAL ISSUE #57 • SUMMER 2024  

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a Brazilian artist based in Rio de Janeiro, but I grew up on a farm in a small town outside Rio called Teresópolis. I spent my childhood drawing and then went on to study fashion. I worked for the Brazilian brand Farm Rio, designing prints for clothes. During the pandemic, I started to paint and it changed my life. I left my job and started my career as an independent artist. Since then, I’ve painted murals in South America, the United States, and Europe, and have done collaborations with various fashion brands.

How would you describe your artistic style?

I never want to be constrained to one particular style, so I am always changing what I do. I have an affinity for classic architecture and artists, but I also like very contemporary stuff. My art is very expressive; I try to convey my feelings in my work. I like to be bold; I like contrast. I like to write stuff. I like colors and saturation. My art is also very gestural; you can see my brush strokes. I don’t try to be a perfectionist. I like to be very natural.

What was your inspiration for the Casa Faena mural?

I previously painted a mural in the entrance hallway, so I wanted to play off that artwork, which has palm trees and coral reds with pink. I also wanted to do something very classic and simple, but very happy and tropical. The ceiling is pink, but very gestural, very imperfect, very expressive, and it contrasts nicely with the walls and corners that have the delicately painted flowers. I wanted to give the sensation of sunshine illuminating the whole room, so I painted a sun on the dining room’s center pillar. It worked very well. I love the result. I also used a lot of pink and white stripes to add a classic feel, and of course palm trees, which are so important to Miami’s aesthetic.

How does the Faena District inspire you as an artist?

The first time I went to Faena Miami Beach, I was blown away by the large-scale murals that are imbued with so much meaning. It’s not the abstract stuff you see in most places nowadays, which don’t tell you anything. Every time I come to Miami, I visit Faena because there’s so much to see, so many details that inspire me as an artist. The art here motivates me to do something different, create something new. I wouldn’t say bigger because it’s not about size, it’s about quality. You see very quality art here. I love how Faena still produces art movements; they support artists.