ARCHIVE

A living record of movement and structure

across art, design, skin and systems.

Brazil · Europe · Middle East · Asia

Rai Gonçalves currently operates from Switzerland, developing a minimalist fine line practice rooted in structure, precision and long-term artistic research.

ZÜRICH

Since 2021

Establishing his residency in Switzerland, Rai integrates fine line tattoo, abstract systems and long-term research into the body as a designed surface, investigating new structural applications of art across skin, products and broader artistic frameworks.

DUBAI

2014–2020

Between 2014 and 2020, Rai established a partial residence in Dubai, expanding his practice into international exhibition circuits and curatorial structures.

As co-founder of Kerart Lda, he connected Portugal, the Middle East and Asia through exhibitions, catalog launches and cultural initiatives hosted in Dubai Internet City and partner venues.

In 2020, the gallery received official institutional visits, including the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the Mayor of Silves, Rosa Palma.

This period marked the consolidation of his global artistic positioning.

@kerartgaleria

Asia - Exploratory Frameworks

The Dubai chapter also extended into Kuala Lumpur, where Rai explored cross-cultural frameworks and structural applications within Southeast Asian contexts.

Portugal

2011–2018
Academic Formation & Editorial Development.

Portugal marked the structural foundation of Rai’s practice.

Graduating in Communication Design from the University of Algarve with Academic Excellence and the highest admission grade, he established a disciplined approach to drawing, visual systems and composition.

During this period, he worked within gallery environments, directed editorial projects and co-founded Kerart Lda — initiating the cross-continental expansion that would later extend to Dubai and Asia.

During his time in Portugal, Rai’s work gained national editorial visibility through features in Caras Portugal (2018) and Essential Algarve (2016), where he was interviewed regarding his practice as a painter, visual artist and curator.

This period marked the strengthening of his curatorial role through Kerart Lda, including the presentation of works by emerging artists within international circuits. Among them, the first painting by Khadem Algaith to be formally valued at one million euros was introduced during this phase.

Portugal established both public recognition and curatorial authority within his multidisciplinary trajectory.