Jorge da Cruz is a Lisbon-born artist based in Berlin since 2011. His work reflects a deep engagement with materiality and process, shaped by his formative studies at Lisbon University's Ar.Co: Center for Art and Visual Communication. Initially working with pastels, da Cruz’s early paintings explored vibrant color and texture. Over time, his practice has evolved into large-scale, monochromatic charcoal drawings, a shift that reflects his desire to distill his work to its most essential elements. These detailed, meditative compositions focus on exploring the tension between permanence and impermanence, form and absence, while embracing the stark simplicity of basic materials. In addition to his visual art, da Cruz is also a tattoo artist. His tattoo portfolio can be found at notattooberlin.com.
The Whole and Its Parts, one Artist Statement by Julian Graff
“Jorge DaCruz's images transcend mere individuality, weaving a tapestry that marries perception, memory, and projection. His work harmoniously synthesizes the minute details and the grand entirety, crafting a narrative solely through the lens of imagination.
In our quest to decode the world, metaphors become indispensable. They are the tools we wield to understand and articulate the human body. In contemporary discourse, we liken the brain to a computer: the hard drive as long-term memory, RAM as short-term memory, with our experiences "archived" and "saved." This technological mimicry underscores a paradox: while we can deconstruct technology to its last component, the human body eludes complete comprehension.
This analogy extends to perception, akin to an auto-correct feature in modern communication. Sensory input, long-term memory, and immediate data converge in a continual reality check. Every gap, every "blank spot," every surplus or deficit is auto-corrected into a coherent whole, shaped by memories, assumptions, and experiences.
DaCruz’s art embraces these gaps and non-visible elements. His images do not present a pre-analyzed whole; instead, they consist of fragments that only coalesce in the viewer's perception. DaCruz himself assembles these fragments, much like a puzzle, drawing from memory and the creative process, pixel by painstaking pixel. This method, a nod to the concept of remix, is central to his oeuvre. The novelty born from random juxtaposition and the interchangeability of elements is vital to his work’s continuity.
New media plays a crucial role in DaCruz’s creative process. By projecting existing landscapes onto recycled paper, he reinterprets reality through his lens. Each pixel, each speck of charcoal, meticulously contributes to the overall image. The paper dictates the size of the landscape section, each fragment re-projected, imbuing the landscape with a renewed purpose on paper. The resultant landscape resides in the viewer's memory as a representation created with charcoal and chalk.
The format-induced empty spaces invite individual perception. These "blank spots" instill a sense of disorientation, enhancing the memory processor’s performance. This effect is amplified by the black and white aesthetic of DaCruz's landscapes, which declare their presence and sharpen perception. The broader picture only emerges from a distance, where the painstakingly assembled pixels and details reveal their full meaning as they lose their individual identity.
As a charcoal and tattoo artist based in Berlin, DaCruz captures both the dystopian and natural essence of the world through his work. Drawing on his Portuguese heritage and experiences living in one of Europe’s most vibrant and dynamic cities, he creates pieces that are timeless yet deeply rooted in the present moment. Charcoal, with its raw, organic quality and its ability to convey a range of textures and tones, is his medium of choice. Each piece allows him to explore the intricate interplay between light and shadow, revealing the unique beauty and complexity of each subject.
DaCruz's artistic journey extends beyond charcoal to the world of tattooing, where he finds a new canvas and medium to express his creativity. The struggle in his artistic journey lies in ultimately connecting these two art forms. While he has yet to fully integrate them, his aim is to blend the precision and intimacy of tattooing with the bold, expressive nature of charcoal art.
But DaCruz's work is not just about technical skill or aesthetic beauty. He believes that art has the power to move people, challenge them, and help them see the world in new and profound ways. Whether creating a striking portrait, a sweeping landscape, an abstract study of form and texture, or a meticulously designed tattoo, his ultimate goal is to connect with viewers on a deep and meaningful level.
Through his art, DaCruz hopes to inspire others to see the world with fresh eyes, to appreciate its beauty and complexity, and to recognize the power of creativity to transform lives and communities. His art is a testament to the intricate dance between the parts and the whole, inviting viewers to engage with his work on a deeply personal level, where imagination fills the gaps and creates a unique, cohesive experience”