Like a musician playing by ear and improvising as he goes, my art begins not with cautious preliminary sketches but working directly on the chosen surface and completing a work in one sitting. When I begin, I never know what will manifest itself. I start by doodling and when I feel as though things are happening, I follow. Whatever is in my mind has to go through my arm, my hand, so to avoid interference I choose materials that let me work quickly. When finished, I don't go back and re-work it. This approach allows a more spontaneous and intuitive way of creating art.
My art has its roots in Latin American and European Surrealism, a movement that believes art holds the key to unlock the inner workings of the mind, and reveals aspects of the psyche otherwise hidden. Diverse recurrent symbols appear in my work as manifestations of my life experiences, some of which are closely related to my Latin American cultural heritage and my life in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I find adapting to a new culture both rewarding and enriching. The process is often helped by the intuitive approach with which I create my art. Similarly, after many years abroad I have new insights on my native country when home visiting family. As I mark sixteen years in the United States, the imagery in my work continues to evolve, reflecting my identity in two cultures and my experience in many places.

Marcelo Novo


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