The Trees Now Stand Unpruned And Wild

Bringing together new paintings, glazed ceramics and ceramic collages, the exhibition explores the relationship between nature, memory and material transformation. Trees, foliage and flowers emerge alongside birds, gazelles, reptiles and scorpions, creating a visual dialogue between the lush vegetation of the artist’s native Rio de Janeiro and the desert landscapes of the UAE.

Chance plays an essential role in Chalhoub’s practice. The firing process introduces unpredictable variations in colour and texture, while fractures and irregularities become constructive elements rather than imperfections. Yet the interplay between chance and intention extends beyond the material process, shaping the personal narratives embedded within the works. The recurring motif of the tree is rooted in a deeply personal memory of her grandmother, Therezinha, who once recognised “the tree of your life” in the accidental marks of an early bleached work. This connection between coincidence, memory and artistic creation runs throughout the exhibition, where fragments of material and personal history are transformed into new forms.