Uma Rosa É

João Vieira developed a sign-based style of painting using letters as visual and compositional elements, influenced by surrealism, concrete poetry, and expressive gestural painting.

In Uma Rosa É, inspired by Gertrude Stein’s poem Sacred Emily, “A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose”, the letters remain readable while also becoming abstract painted forms. The work explores the relationship between language and image, combining structured composition with dynamic brushstrokes, strong textures, and vibrant colours, especially shades of blue.