About manef

I work primarily through portraiture, approaching each figure as a space of presence and relation. Rather than illustrating a story, I am interested in what emerges between bodies and gazes: a tension, a distance, something that resists being fully said.

Before beginning a piece, I give each figure a name. It is a simple ritual, a way of allowing them to take form and presence. From there, the image develops through layers of color and matter, revealing something that feels both intimate and slightly out of reach.

My work draws loosely from mythological and historical references, not to depict them directly, but to echo their emotional weight and symbolic resonance.

Music is an essential part of my process. As a pianist and choir singer, I am deeply influenced by its structure and emotional intensity - from baroque compositions to romantic piano, fado, and video game soundtracks.

I work across painting and drawing, using acrylic, pastel, and watercolor depending on the needs of each piece, to explore different qualities of light, texture, and presence.