Exhibit puts Paiva’s art and architecture in focus – The Royal Gazette

Created: Apr 08, 2024 08:00 AM

A drawing by Dominic Paiva (Photograph supplied)

Dominic Paiva’s upcoming art exhibit is likely a bit unusual for a post-pandemic Bermuda.

Unable to find a place to physically show his work he created a gallery and a website, paivafineart.com. His collection of 20 graphite drawings and mixed media works will launch there, on Friday.

The display combines his two loves: architecture and drawing.

“I went to [Rhode Island School of Design] and I studied architecture and also fine art. I don’t have my architecture license yet – I guess I’d be what you call a junior architect or building designer,” he said.

His art, so far, has been “mostly illustration”. The graphite works that he is to show as part of his exhibit are samples of that style.

“The architectural designs are inspired by the vernacular building traditions of both the UK and Greek Islands, mostly because I like the aesthetics and its harmonisation with the natural environment. I start off with a pencil illustration and I take a photo, and once it’s on the computer I edit it digitally,” he explained.

“The works are my architectural designs [and are] residential in scale. They were made using mostly graphite. Some are coloured pencils and ink – each piece, not in combination. Some of the works are also digitally enhanced or ‘layered’ with further delineation and colour.”

Mr Paiva was last interviewed by The Royal Gazette prior to the unveiling of Design Works, an exhibit of his architectural drawings that was held at the Bermuda Society of Arts a decade ago.

He said then that he believes he inherited his interest and ability in art and design, as he comes from “a family of builders”.

It’s what led him to pursue architecture at Rhode Island School of Design. The time in Providence also gave Mr Paiva the opportunity to show his drawings in area art galleries. Once he was back in Bermuda he started a company, IHD Architecture.

As explained on its website, Island Home Design “provides building design services with a focus on residential and small-scale commercial architecture”. Clients call on Mr Paiva for help in “architectural design, drawing sets and planning applications, hand-drawn perspective illustration [and] 3D models”.

It all stemmed from the “pretty strong interest” in art that began when he was a child. Looking back, he considers himself fortunate that he had a number of “good teachers” who encouraged his work.

“It’s just one of those things where I just really liked it from an early age,” he said. “Art was a subject I always excelled at.”

His fascination continued throughout his studies in Rhode Island. Mr Paiva is excited to once again show off his work at home.

“It’s been a while since I’ve done it but I have exhibited a number of times,” he said. “I don’t really know why I haven’t exhibited works in a number of years, it’s more that I felt that I should again.”

A drawing by Dominic Paiva (Photograph supplied)

As such he’s not particularly nervous about the upcoming show although, he admits, it helps that it will be a virtual display rather than a gallery where he interacts with people at the opening.

“I wasn’t able to get [a gallery space] right now, but I also just thought it was more convenient also [to show it online],” he said. “This way more people would be able to see it; it would be more accessible maybe. But I feel good about showing my work again, I’m pleased and confident in my work.”

As far as he knows an online exhibit by an individual artist, rather than one curated by gallery, has never been done before in Bermuda. The art was all created within the past two years.

“Initially, I wanted it just to be the gallery opening and then I might incorporate it into the website itself after maybe a month or so.”

For anyone interested in buying, it’s as simple as sending an e-mail. Mr Paiva would also be willing to consider offers from artists interested in displaying their work through paivafineart.com.

“The exhibition will be up for about a month and then just integrated into the website itself as part of my portfolio and then the gallery will disappear or I may open up another show virtually,” he said. “Feedback would definitely be helpful in determining whether I have another online exhibit, however I’ll still update my online portfolio occasionally either way.”

• For more information visit IHD Architecture at www.islandhome.design/