After a solid academic career, visual artist Mary Cuzin combines her background in psychology with the production of acrylic canvases and assemblage.
The time dedicated to building an academic career often postpones the definitive encounter with creative production. Holding a PhD in Educational Psychology and Psychodrama from Unicamp, alongside a long trajectory in university teaching and public management, full engagement in the art world only became possible following her retirement, formalised in January 2020. This shift in pace enabled a relocation to Southern Minas Gerais, passing through the municipalities of Andradas and Poços de Caldas. It was during this period, beginning in 2021, that a latent interest in the arts moved from observation to practice. Her entry into the cultural universe initially occurred through music, studying music theory at a conservatory and performing as a chorister—a passion that remains active today through her participation in the Unimed-BH Choir.
The Pursuit of a Self-Taught Signature in Painting
Her entry into fine arts began in a structured manner through a brief canvas painting course. However, the need to break away from academic and structuralist formats prevailed. In 2024, the decision to continue as a self-taught artist marked the pursuit of a free and authorial visual identity. Moving to Belo Horizonte in January 2025 acted as the primary catalyst for professionalising this new phase. Her goal became consolidating a career where painting functions as an extension of psychodrama, acting as a conductor of emotional discoveries and transformations for both creator and observer.
Materiality and the Expression of the Unconscious on Canvas
Visual production moves away from the literal reproduction of landscapes to focus on figurative references guided by memories, literature, and classical music—always playing during her studio process. The technical base concentrates on acrylic on canvas, yet the composition gains complexity through a dialogue with mixed media and assemblage. The juxtaposition of collages with different textures, the insertion of three-dimensional objects, the use of stitching, and interventions with watercolour pencils create multi-layered works. This process builds an abstract narrative that invites viewers to trace their own interpretation, transforming the observation of art into an exercise in reclaiming self-esteem and self-love.
Creative Expansion and Circulation of Works
In addition to her dedication to fine arts and music, her field of visual research also unfolds into parallel projects focused on performing arts and fashion, understanding apparel as a cultural segment that celebrates body uniqueness and respects individuality. On the exhibition circuit, her schedule already projects an expansion of institutional reach. Between August and September 2026, the canvases “Cisne Negro no Jardim de Monet” (Black Swan in Monet’s Garden) and “A Menina dos Girassóis” (The Sunflower Girl) will be featured in the 51st Portinari Week. Aiming to reach new cultural spaces through 2027, the full development of her mixed techniques, collages, and new collections can be followed on artist Mary Cuzin’s official Instagram profile [@marycuzin].