Domingos's creations are emotions in movement.

(Silvana Tótora)

Born and raised in Maria da Fé, a city in the mountainous region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Domingos Tótora chose cardboard as the source material for his work.

The beauty of his work not only manifests in the final product but in the process itself. From the artist's philosophy and respect for the environment to his production process, everything translates Domingos's sensitivity, awareness, and deep connections to his roots. In his studio, recycled cardboard is broken up into small pieces and turned into a pulp, which serves as the base for his art pieces. Objects and environment make it clear that this isn't an obsessive search for perfection. Imperfection is a constitutive part of his work. In the artist's words: "I dialogue with the mass of cardboard until the moment that only it speaks. Then I let myself take until I finish the piece. I do not just design; I look for the emotion before even the function."

Being an established artist and designer in Brazil, Domingos has extensively presented his work in his home country. In addition to that, he has also exhibited in the Netherlands, Paris, and England, among other countries in Europe. Domingos was featured in the most relevant design publications, such as Architectural Digest and Wallpaper magazine, and his iconic piece, Terrão Bench, was auctioned by Sotheby's in 2017.

The word âmago in Portuguese means the essence, core, or soul—the most intimate part of someone or something. Despite the difficulties in finding its correspondent in the English language, there is no better word to describe the work of Brazilian artist Domingos Tótora.

To comprehend Domingos' work fully, it's necessary to consider the essential, which can only be accessed through the emotional connections developed with a place or with someone. Through his art, Domingos can not only reach the essential but also has the generosity to share it with the world. With this exhibition, Sage Culture intends to present a comprehensive vision of the artist: from his inspirations to the development of his media and the final results of his working process. This journey with Domingos also resulted in a photographic book, published on the occasion of this show, and a short film, which will premiere on the opening night.