My name is Mariana Rio, an illustrator author, based in Oporto. I’ve been working in illustration for over a decade and have published with Pato Lógico, Ediciones Mónimo, Sexto Piso Editorial, and Eterogémeas, among others, in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Poland, Peru, Mexico, USA, and Taiwan.
I hold a degree in Communication Design from the Faculty of Fine Arts of Oporto. I have been a professor for several years, in Illustration and picture book, with forays in Drawing, Creative Writing & Storytelling at ESAD Matosinhos.
My work as an illustrator author has been recognized namely by being twice winner at the Illustrators Exhibition Bologna Children’s Book Fair, by the AOI World Illustration Awards, Nami Island International Picture Book Illustration Competition, 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, White Ravens - Internationale Jugendbibliothek, CJ Picture Book Awards and the National Illustration Prize given by DGLAB. In 2021 I won the Baba Kamo Illustration Award in Valencia.
Education
(2008) BFA Communication Design, Faculty of Fine Arts (FBAUP), Oporto University. Portugal
(2007) Erasmus Program. Academy of Fine Arts of Wroclaw (ASP Wroclaw). Poland
(2008) BFA Communication Design, Faculty of Fine Arts (FBAUP), Oporto University. Portugal
(2007) Erasmus Program. Academy of Fine Arts of Wroclaw (ASP Wroclaw). Poland
Books
(2022) Lettuce gets in trouble, text Linda Kuo. Center for Design Books. Seattle.
(2021) Fatma, text Conceição Dinis Tomé. APCC. Lisbon.
(2021) Os peixes que fugiram da história, text Maria João Freitas. Pato Lógico. Lisbon.
(2021) Diosario, Dioses, seres y espiritus del Perú, text Elena Fernández. Monimo. Lima.
(2019) Vamos descobrir a Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal, text Luísa Ducla Soares, INCM. Lisbon.
(2018) A Construção do Mundo, text Fábio Monteiro, Livros Horizonte. Lisbon.
(2018) A casa da doutora Farnsworth, text Joana Couceiro, Circo de Ideias. Porto.
(2017) Memorias póstumas de Brás Cubas, text Machado de Assis, Sexto Piso. Madrid.
(2017) Padova a testa in su, text Leopoldo Benacchio, Valeria Cappelli e Chiara Di Benedetto, Bas Bleu Illustration. Padova.
(2015) A casa do senhor Malaparte, text Joana Couceiro, Circo de Ideias. Porto.
(2012) O Quebra-cabeças, text Helena Carvalho, Edições Eterogémeas. Porto.
Books co-author
[2021] Os Lusíadas, text Luís Vaz de Camões. Kalandraka. Lisbon
[2021] 2022 Transparent Ideas. Text Eugénio Roda. Edições Eterogémeas. Porto.
(2015) Calendario Revolucionario - Laico y Universal. Milrazones. Madrid.
(2014) Invasão da Casa Andresen - Animais de Museu. Edições Eterogémeas. Porto.
(2011) 2012 Mãos à obra, texto Eugénio Roda. Edições Eterogémeas.Porto.
(2009) 2010 Formas de Ser Estar, texto Eugénio Roda. Edições Eterogémeas. Porto.
(2008) 2009 Mundos a Céu Aberto, texto Eugénio Roda. Edições Eterogémeas. Porto.
Clients include
Adobe, APCC, Bas Bleu Illustration, B Eat, Center for Design Books, Casa da Música, Circo de Ideias, Edições Eterogémeas, Editorial Milrazones, Illusalon, Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda, Pato Lógico, Mistaker Maker, Mónimo ediciones, O Beija-flor, Sacoor Brothers, Sexto Piso Editorial, Significa, Slanted, SoDa Repors, Studio Dobra, UPTEC, Kalandraka.
Recognition (selection)
(2023) Winner, Bologna Children’s Book Fair Landscapes and Portraits Exhibition. Bologna.
(2022) Short-listed. Communications Arts Illustration Annual. USA.
(2021) Selection. Chen Bochui International Children's Literature Award (CICLA). 'Common Journey' exhibition. Shanghai.
(2021) Winner. Baba Kamo Illustration Award. Exhibition "Babalunga i Kamolongos". BabaKamo Festival and book fair. Valencia.
(2021) Acquisition Award. BIG. Bienal Internacional de Ilustração de Guimarães. National Illustration Award BIG. Guimarães.
(2019) White Ravens. Internationale Jugendbibliothek. Munique.
(2019) Acquisition Award. BIG. Bienal Internacional de Ilustração de Guimarães. National Illustration Award BIG. Guimarães.
(2018) Portuguese National Illustration Prize. Special Mention. Lisbon.
(2018) Winner, Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition. Bologna.
(2016) Shortlisted, The AOI World Illustration Awards, London.
(2015) Jury Distinction, Portuguese National Illustration Award. Lisbon.
(2015) Honourable mention, ProShow, 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, NY.
(2015) Shortlisted, Nami Concours - Nami Island International Picture Book Illustration Competition, Seoul.
(2014) Selected, 200 Best Illustrators worldwide 2013/2014, Lürzer’s Archive, Vienna.
(2014) Honourable mention, ProShow, 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, NY.
(2013) Winner, Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition. Bologna.
(2013) Jury Distinction, 17th Portuguese National Illustration Award. Lisbon.
(2012) Merit, Children’s Illustration ProShow Annual, 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration. New York City.
(2012) Selected, 100 Books for the Future, Bologna Children’s Book Fair Guest Country Exhibition. Bologna.
(2010) Selected, Grammar of Figures, Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Bologna.
(2010) Finalist, CJ Picture Book Awards, Cj Cultural Foundation. Seoul.
(2023) Winner, Bologna Children’s Book Fair Landscapes and Portraits Exhibition. Bologna.
(2022) Short-listed. Communications Arts Illustration Annual. USA.
(2021) Selection. Chen Bochui International Children's Literature Award (CICLA). 'Common Journey' exhibition. Shanghai.
(2021) Winner. Baba Kamo Illustration Award. Exhibition "Babalunga i Kamolongos". BabaKamo Festival and book fair. Valencia.
(2021) Acquisition Award. BIG. Bienal Internacional de Ilustração de Guimarães. National Illustration Award BIG. Guimarães.
(2019) White Ravens. Internationale Jugendbibliothek. Munique.
(2019) Acquisition Award. BIG. Bienal Internacional de Ilustração de Guimarães. National Illustration Award BIG. Guimarães.
(2018) Portuguese National Illustration Prize. Special Mention. Lisbon.
(2018) Winner, Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition. Bologna.
(2016) Shortlisted, The AOI World Illustration Awards, London.
(2015) Jury Distinction, Portuguese National Illustration Award. Lisbon.
(2015) Honourable mention, ProShow, 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, NY.
(2015) Shortlisted, Nami Concours - Nami Island International Picture Book Illustration Competition, Seoul.
(2014) Selected, 200 Best Illustrators worldwide 2013/2014, Lürzer’s Archive, Vienna.
(2014) Honourable mention, ProShow, 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, NY.
(2013) Winner, Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition. Bologna.
(2013) Jury Distinction, 17th Portuguese National Illustration Award. Lisbon.
(2012) Merit, Children’s Illustration ProShow Annual, 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration. New York City.
(2012) Selected, 100 Books for the Future, Bologna Children’s Book Fair Guest Country Exhibition. Bologna.
(2010) Selected, Grammar of Figures, Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Bologna.
(2010) Finalist, CJ Picture Book Awards, Cj Cultural Foundation. Seoul.
Collective Exhibitions (selection)
(2021) Collective ceramic exhibition. Ó! Cerâmica. Porto, Portugal.
(2021) Collective exhibition. UIVO. Curated by Claúdia Melo. Fórum da Maia. Maia, Portugal.
(2021) Ilustração Portuguesa. Curated by Jorge Silva and José Teófilo Braga. Festa da Ilustração Portuguesa.
(2021) Selection. Chen Bochui International Children's Literature Award (CICLA). 'Common Journey' exhibition. Shanghai.
(2021) Winner. Baba Kamo Illustration Award. Exhibition "Babalunga i Kamolongos". BabaKamo Festival and book fair. Valencia.
(2021) Acquisition Award. BIG. Bienal Internacional de Ilustração de Guimarães. National Illustration Award BIG. Guimarães.
(2021) Collective exhibition No man is an island, Ó! Galeria. Porto, Portugal.
(2021) Collective exhibition Optimistics/Skeptics. Pictoric. Arsenal Book Fair. Kyiv, Ucrânia.
(2020) Collective exhibition Ilustra 33. Curated by Jorge Silva, Silva! Designers for Clube de Criativos de Portugal. ADC*EUROPE.
(2020) Ilustração Portuguesa. Curated by Jorge Silva and José Teófilo Braga. Festa da Ilustração Portuguesa.
(2020) Collective exhibition. 30 Voltas ao Sol. Escola Profissional de Música. Espinho.
(2020) Collective exhibition. Untitled #2020. Ó!Galeria. Porto. Portugal
(2019) Collective exhibition. Ilustração Portuguesa. Festa da Ilustração. Setúbal.
(2018) Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition Tour in Japan - Itabashi Art Museum. Tokyo.
(2018) Illustrators Exhibition, Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
(2018) Ilustração Portuguesa. Festa da Ilustração. Setúbal.
(2018) All about your favourite movie, Ó! Galeria.
(2017) By the way life it’s Wonderful, Pictoric, Kiev.
(2017) Ilustração Portuguesa. Festa da Ilustração. Setúbal.
(2017) Os Milagres da Santa, Circus Network, Guimarães.
(2016) This is not a souvenir, Ó! Galeria, Lisbon.
(2016) Ilustração Portuguesa. Festa da ilustração, Setubal.
(2015) Nami Concours Winning Works Exhibition, Nami Island, South Korea.
(2015) Bibó Porto Carago!, Circus Network, Porto.
(2015) Porto and Douro, Galeria Porto Cruz, Gaia.
(2015) Uivo 4, Galeria Torre Lidador, Maia.
(2014) Last Christmas, Ó! Galeria, Porto.
(2014) Portugal Ilustrado, Ilustopia Illustration Agency, Casa do Jardim do UPTEC PINC, Porto.
(2014) Outro Modo de Ler - Illustration for Books in Portugal, Galeria Municipal Almeida Garrett, Porto. (2014)
(2014) Love Boat, Ó! Galeria, Porto.
(2014) Ilustra 33, curated by Jorge Silva. Creative Jam, XVI Festival Clube de Criativos de Portugal, IADE, Lisbon.
(2013) Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition Tour in Japan - Itabashi Art Museum (Tokyo), Otani Memorial Art Museum (Hyogo), Takahama Kawara Museum (Aichi), Ishikawa Nanao Art Museum (Ishikawa).
(2013) Ilustra 33, curated by Jorge Silva. Creative Jam, XV Festival Clube de Criativos de Portugal, Central Station, Lisbon.
(2013) Illustrators Exhibition, Bologna Children’s Book Fair
(2012) 100 Books for the Future, Bologna Children´s Book Fair
(2012) PORTO, Take Away Porto e ESAD
(2011) Grammar of Figures, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome
(2010) CJ Picture Book Awards, Cj Cultural Foundation, Seoul
(2010) Illustra Teatro, Mostra Internazionale di Illustrazione per l’Infanzia di Sarmede, Vicenza
(2010) 16th International Illustration Competition The Cannonball Lady, Venice
(2010) Grammar of Figures, Bologna Children´s Book Fair
Solo Exhibitions
(2022) Sem Medo. Biblioteca Municipal de Viana do Castelo.
(2019) A casa da Doutora Farnsworth, Casa do Professor, Braga.
(2019) A casa da Doutora Farnsworth, Casa da Esquina, Coimbra.
(2018) A casa da Doutora Farnsworth, Livraria Circo de Ideias, Porto.
(2017) A casa do senhor Malaparte, Biblioteca Municipal de Estarreja.
(2017) A casa do senhor Malaparte, Biblioteca Municipal de Serpa.
(2015) Imaginary Places. Ó! Galeria, Porto.
(2015) A casa do senhor Malaparte, Livraria Circo de Ideias, Porto.
(2014) Today’s Thought - Flash Show. Ó! Galeria, Porto.
(2014) Illustration Mariana Rio, Biblioteca Municipal de Gondomar.
(2013) O Quebra-Cabeças, UPTEC PINC, Porto.
(2011) Illustration Mariana Rio, livraria Velhotes, Gaia.
(2011) Illustration Mariana Rio, Biblioteca Municipal de Sever do Vouga.
Other publications
(2019) 500 Illustrators, Art Page, Lewiart, Posts & Telecom Press.
(2019) Atlântida, Revista de Cultura.
(2019) Slanted issue 34.
(2019) Revista Prima N.3.
(2017) Art Quarter vol. 14, Taste it! Food branding & Packaging Made Success by Illustrations. Moon Art.
(2016) Slanted 27.
(2016) 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, NY.
(2014) 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, NY.
(2013) DPI Design Popular Imagination Magazine, Art Quarter vol. 03. Taiwan.
(2012) 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, NY.
(2019) 500 Illustrators, Art Page, Lewiart, Posts & Telecom Press.
(2019) Atlântida, Revista de Cultura.
(2019) Slanted issue 34.
(2019) Revista Prima N.3.
(2017) Art Quarter vol. 14, Taste it! Food branding & Packaging Made Success by Illustrations. Moon Art.
(2016) Slanted 27.
(2016) 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, NY.
(2014) 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, NY.
(2013) DPI Design Popular Imagination Magazine, Art Quarter vol. 03. Taiwan.
(2012) 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, NY.
Lecturer and professor
(2018 - ) Adjunct Professor, Illustration, Picturebook, Drawing, Creative Writing & Storytelling. ESAD Matosinhos.
(2018 - 2023) Lecturer. Illustration Summer School, Porto.
(2017) Lecture, Illustration, Faculdade de Belas Artes da Universidade do Oporto.
(2015) Illustration course, We Came From Space, Gaia.
(2015) Workshop, 8º Encontro Internacional de Ilustração, S. João da Madeira.
(2015) Workshop and lecture, ENED, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro.
(2014) Lecture, Post-graduate Course in Illustration and Digital Animation, ESAD, Matosinhos.
(2014) Conference, O Quebra-Cabeças, the mental game in the image reading according to the illustrator's perspective. 10º Encontro Nacional de Investigação em Leitura, Literatura Infantil e Ilustração. Universidade do Minho. Braga.
(2014) Workshop “Illustration with stamps”, Casa Nic e Inês, Lisboa.
(2013) Lecture, ESAD, Matosinhos.
(2013) Lecture and Illustration Workshop, XS Design Xpress, Universidade de Aveiro.
(2013) Juri. Master in Design and Visual Culture, project/thesis in illustration, IADE, Lisbon.
(2013) Lecture and Illustration Workshop, ESAD, Matosinhos.
(2012) Lecture, Lusófona University, Oporto.
(2012) Lecture and Illustration Workshop, ESAD, Matosinhos.
Workshops with children & general public
(2010 - 2023) Regular presentations and workshops in Portuguese schools and libraries.