Artist’s Statement

“Like a musician playing by ear and improvising as he goes, my art begins not with cautious preliminary sketches but working directly on the chosen surface and completing a work in one sitting. When I begin, I never know what will manifest itself. I start by doodling and when I feel as though things are happening, I follow. Whatever is in my mind has to go through my arm, my hand, so to avoid interference I choose materials that let me work quickly. When finished, I don’t go back and re-work it. This approach allows a more spontaneous and intuitive way of creating art.

My art has its roots in Latin American and European Surrealism, a movement that believes art holds the key to unlock the inner workings of the mind, and reveals aspects of the psyche otherwise hidden. Diverse recurrent symbols appear in my work as manifestations of my life experiences, some of which are closely related to my Latin American cultural heritage and my life in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As I mark thirty years in the United States, the imagery in my work continues to evolve, reflecting my identity in two cultures and my experience in many places.”

Marcelo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He graduated from Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes and studied Painting under artist Roberto Aizemberg. In 1992, he moved to the USA where he received a Master’s degree from the University of South Carolina and taught art at Benedict College. His work has been exhibited in exhibitions in galleries and museums throughout the USA and abroad, including the Centro Cultural Recoleta, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Cinque Gallery in NYC, the Museum of Latin American Art, CA, and the Argentine Embassy of Argentina in Washington, DC. In addition, his work is in numerous collections, including the South Carolina State Arts Collection, the Contemporary Carolinas Collection of the Medical University of SC, and the White House Christmas Ornaments Collection. Mr. Novo is the recipient of many awards and honors, received grants from the SC Arts Commission, and was a scholar-in-residence in the Faculty Resource Network Program at NYU. He lives and works as a full-time artist in DC metro area.

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