Halfstudio
About the artist
Portuguese visual artists Mariana Branco and Emanuel Barreira form the duo Halfstudio. Their shared practice is grounded in sign painting and lettering, and their work explores language, place, and the expressive potential of visual form in contemporary contexts. Their visual language is defined by three-dimensional letters and dynamic layouts, with bold messages and vibrant colors. Their work is shaped by their surroundings and the social and cultural issues they find meaningful, using art as a medium to reflect on the world and invite conversation. For Mariana and Emanuel, creating art is both a form of expression and a personal process of reflection. Public artworks are particularly important to them, enabling their ideas to reach broader audiences and spark dialogue around questions relevant to contemporary life. Combining studio work and public art, their approach reflects current themes while demonstrating a thoughtful engagement with the communities they work in. The duo has exhibited their work in galleries and participated in street art festivals in Portugal and internationally.