B I O G R A P H Y Marcia Barreto Gomes' works are focused around rare and hand-made paper derived from vegetables, fruits and leaves from all corners of the world. She manipulates the character of these papers through layering and juxtaposition to transform their textures and opacities, creating a harmony of abstract shapes in composition that hide the nature of the original raw material. Her compositions provide a meditation on the mystery of the synthesis. Recently, she has developed a series of books including intricate small-scale collages. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Gomes has been fascinated with patterns and fabrics from an early age. Moving to Sao Paulo she became involved in the fashion industry working for Carmin, a Brazilian fashion house. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and South America and settled in New York in 1996. She took up studies at the Art Students League with the distinguished painter Bruce Dorfman. next >