Gustavo Nazareno on Cerebral Women Art Talks Podcast with Phyllis Hollis
26 August 2026
Brazilian artist Gustavo Nazareno joins Phyllis Hollis on the Cerebral Women Art Talks podcast for a warm and intimate conversation exploring his practice, influences, and the experiences that shape his visual world. Launched in 2020 as an extension of the Cerebral Women platform, the weekly podcast is dedicated to highlighting underrepresented visual artists and art professionals working to support and present their practices. Nazareno offers a personal insight into his approach to artmaking, speaking about how he “communicates through beauty” and how his experiences and personality inform the stories he tells through painting and drawing.
The conversation delves into the development of Nazareno’s practice, from the role of drawing in shaping his finished works to the artistic mentors and influences that have informed his way of seeing. Hollis and Nazareno further discuss his continued process of learning and the importance of allowing his practice to evolve. Reflecting on the ways Black art is often defined or categorised, Nazareno considers the limitations of approaching it through a singular visual language. Instead, he speaks to a broader connection between constellations of experiences, stories and perspectives, highlighting the diversity of Black creative expression.
Nazareno also shares how he thinks about his audience while creating, including the idea of imagining viewers during the process of making a work. This relationship between artist and audience becomes part of his creative world, offering insight into how he considers connection, interpretation, and the stories that a work can communicate beyond the studio.
The conversation comes shortly after Nazareno’s recent solo exhibition at Opera Gallery in Paris, ‘How to Grow a Flower from a Supernova’, which ran from 26 June to 15 July 2026. Following the exhibition, Nazareno describes himself as being in a period of rest and new creation as he looks towards upcoming projects. The episode offers an opportunity to hear directly from the artist about the ideas, experiences, and creative processes behind his practice.
