Gabriela Gasparini Bornstein

Biography

Gabriela Bornstein (b. 1972, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a mixed media artist whose work spans figurative painting, printmaking, assemblage, collage, and body painting. Her practice centers on themes of connection—between self, place, memory, and heritage—often blending symbolic imagery with personal narrative. 

During the pandemic, Gabriela turned inward, shifting her focus from external observations to inner landscapes. This introspective period led to a series of works inspired by an imagined ancestral heritage, exploring identity through intuition, memory, and cultural storytelling. 

An emerging artist, Gabriela was selected for the 2024 NYFA Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program and the for the 2024 and 2025 Arts Exchange exhibition at ArtsWestchester. She was also invited to co-teach art classes with ProjectArt at the Brooklyn Public Library and has participated in solo and group exhibitions both locally and internationally. 

Gabriela studied painting, printmaking, and collage at institutions including the Art Students League of New York, Bridgeview School of Fine Arts, Katonah Art Center, Gowanus Print Lab, and Pelham Art Center. She began her artistic education at Parque Lage School of Visual Arts in Rio de Janeiro before earning a degree in Communication Arts in 1994. She has lived and worked in New York since 1998 and currently maintains her studio practice in Mamaroneck, NY.

Artist statement

My works are a tribute to my roots and a celebration of my ancestors. As a Brazilian immigrant living in New York for over 26 years, my desire to reconnect with my ancestry has grown stronger over time. By completing a DNA test, I confirmed my diverse heritage—Indigenous, Black, and White. Drawing from this rich cultural background, I used old family photos as references, crafting scenes that emerge from my subconscious. These works explore the miscegenation of Brazil’s population and traditions, reflecting on the historical process of colonization. Through this series I also engage in a broader dialogue about social and environmental justice. My art becomes a vehicle for advocating human rights, elevating the voices of oppressed people, and paying homage to the resilience of both the land and its inhabitants. I explore the themes of identity, heritage, and, most importantly, motherhood. After the passing of my mother, I embarked on a quest to recover many family pictures that had been misplaced, along with the stories behind them. This is an homage to the lineage of women who played a role in my education and socialization, shaping who I am, both directly and indirectly, across generations