What would Tarsila think

This little painting is inspired by Brazilian modernist Tarsila do Amaral’s ‘Abaporu’ (1928). I have always been fascinated by Tarsila and her work and this is my curious and imagined contemplation of what Tarsila might think about the state of today’s world. With the composition, patterns and line work I have had a lot of fun unpacking potential interpretations of the world’s complexity, contradictions and the ongoing tension and exploration of identity and culture across the world.
This work was featured in the 2025 Brunswick Street Gallery Small Works Prize.

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Lauren Alcantara is an Australian artist based in the Yass Valley, New South Wales.

She works across painting, illustration and printmaking, creating bold, layered works full of pattern, colour and texture.

Inspired by both natural forms and the built environment, Lauren’s art balances structure with playfulness, inviting viewers to find beauty in imperfection and curiosity in the everyday.

With a background in graphic design and a long career in public policy, Lauren brings both a designer’s eye and a strategist’s mindset to her creative practice. Since 2024, she has dedicated more time to her art while also running her advisory business, Bright Sharp.