Selma Gonçalves Flauzino is a visual artist from São João da Mata, a small town in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Her academic journey includes a Technical Degree in Accounting, a Bachelor's in Philosophy, and a variety of courses in Visual Arts, Crafts, Gastronomy, Creative Sewing, and currently, Pedagogy. Despite this diverse background, her true passion has always been the Visual Arts.
From a young age, in the rural neighborhood of Canta Galo (Sítio) in São João da Mata, Selma began experimenting with paint, transforming her surroundings through art. Deeply inspired by nature, animals, and the vibrant colors around her, she draws heavily from emotional memories, channeling her creativity into Contemporary and Abstract Art—the essence of her expression.
Her artistic journey truly began when she moved to Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais. There, she enrolled in the JKO State Conservatory of Music, where she honed her skills, studied Fine Arts, and immersed herself in a dynamic artistic environment alongside fellow artists and professors.
Although she learned various techniques and encountered many established artists, Selma eventually broke away from traditional methods, choosing instead to experiment with themes, mixed media, and materials. Her passion also extends to photography and poetry, both of which often enrich her work. She is known for her creativity, authenticity, and simplicity. Unsettled by the world's social issues, her work often subtly denounces contemporary realities. A great admirer of the German philosopher Nietzsche, she frequently incorporates philosophical themes into her poetry and art.
It’s impossible not to be moved by her generous and noble spirit, always striving to make the world a better place through art.
Selma has participated in numerous exhibitions, including several at the JKO State Conservatory of Music, at the Metropolitan Cathedral Square in Pouso Alegre, and João Batista Square in São João da Mata. She also took part in the 1st Contemporary Art Salon of Pouso Alegre with the piece "A Time and Seven Minutes". Her solo exhibitions at the Artigas Gallery (Casa da Cultura de Pouso Alegre), the 1st Pouso Alegre Handicraft Fair, and two group exhibitions at the Euearte Gallery further highlight her growing artistic presence. One of her works was even selected for the website of the Design Arte Gallery.
Despite the challenges she describes in her career, Selma remains humble and resilient, embracing every opportunity that comes her way. Her studio is wherever inspiration finds her—she keeps her materials ready and paints wherever she feels most inspired. She believes deeply in the transformative power of art.
Currently, Selma is enrolled in a course on the Art Market, seeking to understand its complex machinery while refusing to be confined by its bureaucracy. Her bold ambition is to bring Brazilian art to the world stage, showing that Contemporary and Abstract Brazilian art can evoke the profound essence of the Brazilian soul in international audiences. Her work aspires not only to beauty but also to reflection—addressing sustainability, social issues, racism, war, marginalization, capitalism, and the limits of standardized cultural production.
