Alice and Gabi Gelli are sisters, artists, and natives of Rio de Janeiro. Their work explores the concepts of encounter, exchange, and time. The duo is particularly interested in the materiality of the body in response to the overwhelming digitalization of spaces. There is a desire to reclaim physical exchanges—face-to-face interactions and the bodily impact of art. From the most varied scales, from delicate minutiae to monumental extravagance, the artists are fascinated by repetition, by the macro and the micro.
The rhythm of their work runs counter to the urgency of the world. Although they are extremely fast-paced, the sisters seek time, calm, and space to breathe. The choice of materials directly influences this pace. Working with paper demands presence; otherwise, it smudges, tears, or cuts. Working with wax requires attention; otherwise, it burns, melts too much, or dries out. Respecting the will of the materials and, above all, their individual timing. The constant pressure for productivity complicates the waiting process, which is challenging yet essential to their work. Their commitment to the artistic process restores the necessary time and space for the creation of art.
The Gelli Sisters have participated in some of Brazil’s major art fairs, including SP-Arte and ArtRio, as well as various exhibitions in both Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In 2021, they completed an artistic residency at Oasis, in downtown Rio, which culminated in their first solo exhibition. In 2022, in addition to showing their work in a group exhibition at the Centro Cultural dos Correios, the duo participated in the Jaguar Parade, which took to the streets of São Paulo and New York, marking the beginning of their international careers. In September 2023, the sisters opened their solo exhibition "Quando deixou de ser" at Lurixs gallery in Rio de Janeiro, as well as the group show "Bleu" in Paris, invited by Bianca Boeckel Gallery. In 2024, they opened a solo exhibition at the Centro Cultural dos Correios in Rio de Janeiro.