We recently met artist Vanessa Teodoro at a party in Lisbon and were absolutely blown away by her work. She invited us to come visit her studio to get the best possible experience and understanding for her incredible art.
Even if Vanessas art is not Avant-Garde, her pieces are mostly monochomatic and street art inspired where we at RAW Looks often also bridge the gap in Fashion: between Avant-Garde and Streetwear. For that reason we think that presenting Vanessa’s work on our platform is a good fit.
First things first – who is Vanessa Teodoro?
Vanessa Teodoro is based in Lisbon, and her work seamlessly bridges the worlds of fine art and commercial design. Drawing from her extensive background in graphic design and advertising, combined with the rich cultural influences of her South African heritage, Vanessa has cultivated a distinctive visual language that resonates across diverse audiences and contexts.
Since dedicating herself exclusively to her artistic practice in 2009, Vanessa has established collaborative partnerships with prestigious international brands, elevating both commercial and cultural projects through her unique aesthetic vision. Her portfolio spans multiple disciplines, from commercial illustration, fine art, art direction, window and interior design to large-scale public interventions.
Vanessa’s passion for street art manifests most in her public murals, where she transforms urban landscapes into dynamic visual experiences. These projects showcase her signature exploration of duality and movement, characterized by bold graphic elements and chromatic contrasts that command attention while inviting contemplation.
Her artistic philosophy centers on the tension between opposing forces, geometric precision and organic flow, vibrant intensity and subtle nuance, creating works that speak to both the intellect and the emotions. This sophisticated approach has positioned Vanessa Teodoro as a significant voice in contemporary visual culture, bridging street art’s democratic accessibility with fine art’s conceptual depth.
Vanessa Teodoro Studio Visit in Lisbon
Walking into Vanessa Teodoro’s studio in Lisbon feels like stepping inside a graphic language that has escaped the page and taken over the room. Her work is driven by monochromatic high-contrast patterns, hand-drawn typography, and recurring symbols that sit somewhere between playfulness and protest: short, declarative phrases carved, painted, or printed. “Done is better than perfect”, “Playing small is cancelled”, “Make music not war”: messages that feel personal and deliberately human, questions around identity, voice, fear, courage, and presence.
What stands out in the studio is how seamlessly her practice moves across mediums. Framed typographic pieces hang beside large-scale graphic canvases; illustrated ceramics share space with sculptural objects and wall installations.
It is an amazing experience to step into her studio for a private tour with her sharing the thoughts behind her different pieces and projects. Make sure you visit her portfolio website to check out all of her work. In case you want to buy one of her pieces, also don’t miss to visit her Online-Shop, and if you are in Lisbon, you can inquire to make an appointment to visit her studio exclusively and meet Vanessa in person, which we can highly recommend.
