Dermeval da Silva, better known as D. Silva, is a native Soteropolitano (born in Salvador), who lives in Liberdade, a section of his city that translates into “Freedom”. This is traditionally an Afro Brazilian section, where African influences dominate the environment through music, food and art.

Since he was a child, Dermeval drew on side walks, ruins and walls around his house using charcoal to create his art. According to family, neighbors and friends he is a soul devoted to his imagination. Dermeval never had a chance to finish middle school or to take art lessons. He is a self taught artist whose works portray scenes of local life. The characters in his paintings reflect the popular daily activities such as preparing the vegetables for the market, washing clothes by the river and setting to sail in a fishing boat.

Today, he has a small studio in Liberdade, where he teaches local children how to paint to make a living and travel the infinite world of imagination.