Ballerina No. 5, Series XXIII Painting

Mario Henrique is a contemporary painter based in Portugal. After graduating in Design from Lisbon’s University of Fine Arts, he began his career in online marketing and web development agencies as a creative director, where he led teams in Portugal, Spain, and Brazil. A decade later, he shifted his focus to contemporary painting, which had always been a parallel interest. Mario is a prolific portraitist who is fascinated by the unpredictability of human behaviour, from brief glances to the impermanence of facial expressions. He uses unconventional and rough materials such as cardboard, reversed canvases, and hardware tools, painting abruptly and spontaneously. His approach relies on drippings, splashes, and paint throws, revealing the physicality of the painting process in the final piece. Mario Henrique's paintings are listed in private collections worldwide and he has exhibited both locally and abroad. He's also currently represented by various prestigious international galleries and owns a studio which can be visited by appointment.