Clio Art Fair Spotlight: A review by Rafaela Costa

Artist Rafaela Costa in her studio

"My work is rooted in lived experience, shaped by 20 years of migration, cultural differences, and an ongoing inquiry into what it means to be and belong. Growing up on an island in southern Brazil and later living across different countries, I developed a sensitivity to contrasts—between permanence and impermanence, familiarity and displacement, individuality and shared human experience.

Influenced by my background in psychology, I approach art as a space for observation and emotional excavation. I am interested in how memory, identity, and resilience are embodied and expressed, often in subtle or unspoken ways. Through my work, I explore the significance of ordinary lives and everyday moments. What feels familiar or unremarkable to one person can become fascinating when viewed through the lens of a different experience. This tension between the personal and the universal is central to my practice.

As a woman, mother, and South American immigrant, my perspective is inseparable from my work. Drawing from both personal history and collective memory, I create pieces that honor emotion, vulnerability, presence, joy, and transformation, revealing the quiet strength found in lived experience."

-Rafaela Costa

Rafaela Costa exhibited her work in the past at the 22nd edition of Clio Art Fair, held from May 7-10, 2026. Here is a short interview with the artist and a review of her experience at the fair.

Rafaela, can you please describe your art in four words?

Personal, Playful, Intricate and Layered.

What inspires your art?

My greatest source of inspiration is my own life. I am fascinated by how the ordinary can become meaningful when viewed through a different perspective. In this body of work, I looked toward my roots, the culture I come from, and the things I love most about it. That process naturally led me to explore joy, presence, movement, and our connection to the body.

How would you describe your experience at Clio Art Fair?

As an emerging artist, having the opportunity to exhibit my work in Chelsea, New York—one of the world's leading contemporary art hubs—was incredibly exciting.

I'm proud to be part of an organization that challenges conventions, creates opportunities for emerging artists, and pushes boundaries in the art world. Seeing this edition of Clio recognized by major publications such as The New York Times made me even more grateful to participate.

Throughout the fair, I met wonderful people. The artists, staff, and Clio team were warm, welcoming, and genuinely supportive. It was a fantastic opportunity to share my work with new audiences, connect with collectors and art professionals, and build relationships that have already led to new opportunities.

I'm thankful for the experience and look forward to staying connected with the Clio community.

Rafaela Costa, The Red Painting, 2026

Mixed Media on canvas, 36 × 48 in Showcased at Clio Art Fair's 22nd Edition, May 7-10, 2026