Carlos Barão has, in a consistent manner, based his work on the continuous reflexion of the unconscious which characterises his artistic expression. This, one could say, is due to his academic studies in History of Art and Psychology but, as he himself prefers to see it, his studies have only helped him to place the problems in perspective, as it is a lot more interesting and enriching to find yourself with unexpected questions - “the questions that arise when we struggle over a painting on a day to day basis, in search of answers”.

It resembles a continuous activity, as the work of art appears/takes shape, with blots and colours interacting, revealing the thoughts of the artist. However, it is not only the thoughts of the artist that counts, says CB, as every painting also extends an invitation for the observer to get involved in identifying and interpreting the forms and contents which, according to the artist, are the reflexion of the spectators own inner life.

CB tries to approach the canvas without any preconceived ideas, filling them with blots that gradually build up to obvious and engaging happenings. Step by step, formal and chromatic relations are suggested that sooner or later will appear to the viewer as strangely familiar. The figurative elements, when included, are generally subtle. The titles, instead of explaining, try to send out a clue “to get a discussion going”.

CB already has an extensive body of work but insists that each painting is like a paragraph in a long and infinite reflexive text. In this respect, the artist confirms that if a painting takes on a too large importance, the greater is the cloud covering it and the harder it will be to find the path, where it wants to lead us to.