Artur Da Silva, a gifted artist from Brazil, has recently joined the Creative Media Department at CSU Stanislaus. He shares his journey as an artist, what motivates his work, and his new role as a professor at Stan State.
Silva grew up in Brazil with strict parents, but art gave him a feeling of freedom within that environment.
“My father bought a Britannica encyclopedia, and this art book collection was there. Between the rigid upbringing and art, I was immediately attracted to the freedom that art offers,” Silva said.
His first experience with art fascinated him and set him on the path toward a lifelong love and career.
During Silva’s journey from Brazil to New York, he encountered various experiences that shaped and inspired his artistic expression. Silva was drawn to New York’s art scene, which was the perfect place to start his journey into the global art world.
“New York is the birthplace of so many movements. I wanted to be in touch with that environment,” Silva shared.
Silva’s career took off when he joined a lively art community that influenced his outlook and art.
He didn’t stop there. Silva went on to do a Master of Fine Arts at the well-known California Institute of the Arts. He says this choice was influenced by some of the artists he looked up to while growing up.
“CalArts was a special place. So many of my art heroes either taught or went there for school. People like Alan Sekula, Charles Gaines… I aspired to learn from them,” he explained.
The challenging academic setting and being around some of the most creative people in the art world changed things for Silva. It helped him develop not just as an artist but also as a teacher.
Silva naturally moved from being an artist to becoming a professor.
“My artwork informs my teaching, and teaching informs a lot of my artwork. It’s been a great marriage,” he said. He says that teaching is a great chance for Silva to help students with their artistic journeys and promote creativity.
Silva gets his inspiration by sorting through the archives and tackling the materials and subjects for his exhibits. This careful approach allows him to create art that speaks to people personally and intellectually.
“Research informs 90% of my work,” he says.
Silva has won significant awards and fellowships, like the Pollock-Krasner Grant and the Efroymson Contemporary Art Fellowship. Thanks to these achievements, he feels motivated and empowered to continue challenging himself in his career.
“The awards just give you that extra 15 minutes to keep running,” he said with a smile.
Despite his busy schedule, Silva makes time for other interests that inspire his creativity.
“I like fitness, and it keeps me sane. I’m also fascinated by astronomy and physics,” he shared.
Silva’s hobbies might not seem connected to his artwork, but for him, they’re a way to relax and develop new ideas that help him be more creative. Silva didn’t even have to think about it when asked what he was most excited about in joining the Creative Media Department at Stan State.
“This community. I’m dealing with students from all walks of life, many of them first-generation college students. I relate to that, and I want to be among these students. I want to give my two cents to their education,” he said.
Silva sees teaching as more than just sharing knowledge. It’s about creating a community and empowering students to express themselves as artists.
Silva has some helpful advice for anyone pursuing a career in the arts. He says you need to be resilient and build a strong network.
“There’s a lot of no’s in the arts. You need to stand up again, shake off the dust, and try again. Get out of the studio network, meet your colleagues, and reach out to your peers. That’s an important part of being an artist that we don’t learn enough about in school,” he said.
