Mario Henrique

Nationality and Birth Year: Portuguese | 1983
Occupation: Painter
Styles: Expressionist Portraiture
Location: Based in Cascais, Portugal

"I try to be fast and spontaneous when I’m painting. And that should be reflected in the final piece. The observer should be able to infer the physicality of the painting process when looking at the paint drippings and brush strokes."

Artist Statement

Mário Henrique is a Portuguese artist (born 1983) known for his large-scale, expressionist portraiture. A prolific portraitist, he is fascinated by the unpredictability of human behavior, from fleeting glances to the impermanence of facial expressions. His work captures these transient moments through bold, gestural techniques that embrace both intention and spontaneity.

Henrique’s approach to painting is raw and physical, relying on drippings, splashes, and paint throws to reveal the energy behind each piece. He often works with unconventional and rough materials such as cardboard, reversed canvases, and hardware tools, painting abruptly and spontaneously. While his initial gestures are deliberate, the outcome remains beyond full control—each piece is shaped by both conscious decision-making and random, unrepeatable accidents.

His work exists in the space between representation and abstraction, where movement, emotion, and texture take precedence over rigid form. By allowing the unpredictable nature of the painting process to take center stage, Henrique invites viewers to engage not only with the subject but also with the raw, visceral act of creation itself.

Henrique’s paintings have been exhibited internationally and are held in private collections worldwide, demonstrating the strength and impact of his distinctive, expressive style.