Rodrigo Mogiz: embroidery art to question Brazilian sexual identity

Rodrigo Mogiz is a Brazilian artist from Belo Horizonte. Through its delicate embroidery art, he is questioning Brazilian masculinity, as well as sexual identity.

Your art is made of Embroidery. How did you chose this approach?

 Embroidery is an emotional thing for me. My mother and grandmother were always sewing at home. When I was a child, I used to draw, and bit-by-bit I started to incorporate embroideries inside my drawings.

 Embroidery is a strong and fascinating process. Piercing the textile, build the shape through the perforation process…

 My grandmother died. But my mother is still sewing. She helps me to create my embroidery projects, and I help her to sew.

 Now I use embroidery to question masculine identity and gender issues.
Historically, embroidery is a feminine activity. I wanted to show this ambiguity.
Also, I am mixing periods. I use old pictures from LGBT in the 19th and 20th Centuries.  

Embroidery is also a way to question Brazilian society, and relation toward homosexuality. In Brazil, homosexuality is still not accepted in some small cities, Gays don’t show their sexual orientation. Thankfully, I never had problems with my work, Belo Horizonte is a big city.

 Last year, i went to Paris and Rosaria (Brazil) for artistic residencies).
Now, I am preparing an exhibition in a Sao Paulo’s art gallery.

What are your creative inspirations?

 I am inspired by popular images from fashion, advertising, and pop artists such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Pierre et Gilles, David Hockey, Francis Bacon.

Also, some Brazilian artists inspire me:

Leonilson from Fortaleza, Ceara ( North-East Brazil). In the 80’s and 90’s, he used to work with Embroidery and fashion.

 Arthur Bispo do Rosario, from North-East Brazil, is a descendent of African slaves. He was hospitalized during 50 years in a psychiatric hospital. He made incredible embroidery installations and clothing.

How do you feel to work in Belo Horizonte?

 I love to live in Belo Horizonte!
I was born here and studied Fine Arts at UFMG.

 This is a big and dynamic city, but with quiet parts and a human-size.
It’s easier to connect with people, while Sao Paulo is too big.

 Belo Horizonte is a vibrant city, with many cultural events, street parties, carnival, férias, theatre... There are a lot of museums, exhibitions and art spaces. For 2 years, there is CURA, a Street Art festival in the city.
This is very inspiring for me.

In Santa Teresa neighborhood, I share a workshop with other local artists, and we are hosting group exhibitions. Santa Teresa is like a small village inside the town, with many artists’ workshops, friends, small old houses.

What is your dream city?

Paris used to be my dream. I went there to make an artistic residency, in Espace Alma, it was wonderful.
I love Parisian great museums. There is much art, many artists, and very historic buildings.
Now, I would like to visit Vienna, in Austria. My grandmother’s parents are from there. I would like to discover the city story…

What are your favorite places in Belo Horizonte?

Your neighboorhood? Savassi
Savassi is full of art galleries, street events, bars and small canteens, where I join my friends to drink beers and snack…

Your coffee place? Cafe com letras
In the city center, I love this traditional cafeteria.
Adress: R. Antônio de Albuquerque, 781 - Savassi, Belo Horizonte - MG, 30112-010 

Your bar? Bomb shell bar
This is a cute bar in Savassi, with a vintage 50’s decoration.
Adress: R. Sergipe, 1389 - Funcionários, Belo Horizonte - MG, 30130-171

Your art place?  Praça da Liberdade
This area is full of museums, including the CCBB (bank of brazil Cultural Center), showing many interesting exhibitions.

Your art center? Palacio das Artes
A super art center, with an independent cinema, show and exhibitions.

Your street? Rua Sapucai
This is my favorite street, with a tremendous view on the center, many street art, bars and restaurants, many street events. During week-ends, it turns pedestrian.
Adress: Rua Sapucai, Belo Horizonte - MG, 30110-009

Text & pictures: Angela Perigot
Thanks to Renata Laguardia & Daniel Pinho!