Ana Lage, vulgo MAKO, é pichadora, artista visual contemporânea e designer gráfica. Formada em Design Gráfico e com pós-graduação em Gestão, Design e Marketing pelo Instituto Federal Fluminense no início dos anos 2000, Mako construiu uma sólida carreira na área de licenciamento ao longo de quase 20 anos de profissão. Em 2023, passou a se dedicar integralmente aos trabalhos de Arte Urbana unindo-se a Coletiva Grapixurras das Minas.
Ana Lage, also known as MAKO, is a graffiti writer, contemporary visual artist, and graphic designer. Holding a degree in Graphic Design and a postgraduate specialization in Management, Design, and Marketing from the Instituto Federal Fluminense, she built a successful career in the licensing industry over nearly two decades. In 2023, she shifted her focus entirely to Urban Art, joining the women-led collective Grapixurras das Minas.
MAKO é uma pessoa com deficiência visual e seu trabalho busca difundir a arte urbana pensando sempre em acessibilidade. A artista busca formas de tornar a arte mais inclusiva, especialmente para pessoas com deficiência visual, frequentemente deixadas à margem das experiências sensoriais e estéticas em exposições. Seus projetos em desenvolvimento integram materiais táteis, superfícies com relevo e propostas que valorizam o toque como forma legítima de leitura artística.
MAKO is a visually impaired artist whose work is deeply committed to accessibility in urban and contemporary art. She explores ways to make artistic experiences more inclusive, particularly for people with visual impairments, who are often excluded from traditional exhibition spaces and sensory experiences. Her ongoing projects incorporate tactile materials, textured surfaces, and interactive elements that recognize touch as a valid and meaningful form of engaging with art.
Sua estética nasce de uma infância suburbana em Olaria, na zona norte do Rio de Janeiro, onde a criatividade é uma das poucas formas de se destacar em meio ao caos da Leopoldina. A TV da casa brasileira constantemente ligada, os animes e desenhos animados, a profusão de cores.
Her visual language is rooted in a suburban childhood in Olaria, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro's North Zone, where creativity often becomes one of the few ways to stand out amid the chaos of the Leopoldina region. The ever-present television in the Brazilian household, anime, cartoons, and an explosion of color all helped shape her artistic perspective.
Pontos de ônibus, outdoors, salões de beleza, locadoras e escolas de samba – o criativo Design Gráfico Vernacular – ganha status de arte sob sua perspectiva. Acolhida pelas manas da ZL, é na cidade de São Paulo que essa essência suburbana se traduz em sua STRISTE ART.
Bus stops, billboards, beauty salons, video rental stores, and samba schools—the rich landscape of Brazilian vernacular graphic design—is elevated to the status of art through her lens. Embraced by the baddies of São Paulo's East Side, it is in the city of São Paulo that this suburban essence finds its fullest expression through her STRISTE ART.
Linha de pesquisa
Mako é a autora do Manifesto Entristecido e sua pesquisa investiga as emoções consideradas socialmente negativas — como tristeza e melancolia — enquanto expressões legítimas da experiência humana. A artista reflete sobre positividade tóxica e suas subjetividades na sociedade como a "cultura da produtividade", buscando ampliar o debate público sobre a aceitação das emoções humanas em sua totalidade e a busca por uma leitura crítica e sensível das dinâmicas sociais contemporâneas.
Research Practice:
Mako is the author of the Manifesto Entristecido (The Saddened Manifesto), an ongoing artistic and theoretical investigation into emotions commonly perceived as negative—such as sadness and melancholy—as legitimate and essential aspects of the human experience. Her work examines toxic positivity and its manifestations within contemporary society, including the culture of productivity and the constant pressure toward self-optimization. Through her artistic practice, she seeks to expand public discourse around emotional acceptance, encouraging a more critical and compassionate understanding of human subjectivity and contemporary social dynamics.
Mako is the author of the Manifesto Entristecido (The Saddened Manifesto), an ongoing artistic and theoretical investigation into emotions commonly perceived as negative—such as sadness and melancholy—as legitimate and essential aspects of the human experience. Her work examines toxic positivity and its manifestations within contemporary society, including the culture of productivity and the constant pressure toward self-optimization. Through her artistic practice, she seeks to expand public discourse around emotional acceptance, encouraging a more critical and compassionate understanding of human subjectivity and contemporary social dynamics.
Feiras de Arte Independente
Mako participa de feiras de arte independente com sua STRISTE ART e colabora com empresas e projetos que buscam experiências autênticas e criativas. Seu trabalho engloba diferentes formatos de criação, presença e diálogo, sempre alinhados à identidade da marca e ao público que ela deseja alcançar.
Independent Art Markets:
Mako regularly participates in independent art fairs through her STRISTE ART project and collaborates with brands, institutions, and creative initiatives seeking authentic artistic experiences. Her practice spans a variety of formats, from exhibitions and installations to live painting, workshops, and commissioned projects. Regardless of scale or medium, each collaboration is developed to create meaningful connections between artistic expression, brand identity, and audience engagement.
Mako regularly participates in independent art fairs through her STRISTE ART project and collaborates with brands, institutions, and creative initiatives seeking authentic artistic experiences. Her practice spans a variety of formats, from exhibitions and installations to live painting, workshops, and commissioned projects. Regardless of scale or medium, each collaboration is developed to create meaningful connections between artistic expression, brand identity, and audience engagement.
Participação em eventos como Festival El Cabriton, Feira Estranha, Art ToyCon, Festival Bunkyo
Murais sob encomenda
Criação de murais e painéis personalizados, desenvolvidos especialmente para cada espaço. São obras únicas e pensadas para gerar conexão, impacto e presença estética.
Commissioned Murals: Creation of custom murals and large-scale artworks designed specifically for each space and context. Every project is developed as a unique piece, carefully crafted to create connection, visual impact, and a strong sense of place.
Live Painting e presença em eventos
Performances de pintura ao vivo em eventos, lançamentos, ativações e ações culturais, aproximando o público da arte e tornando cada ocasião memorável.
Live Painting & Event Experiences: Live painting performances for events, product launches, brand activations, exhibitions, and cultural programs. These experiences bring audiences closer to the creative process, transforming each occasion into a memorable and engaging artistic moment.
Publicidade e teste de produtos
Desenvolvimento de conteúdo e apresentação de processos artísticos e experiências reais com produtos, unindo criatividade e comunicação com propósito.
Advertising & Product Testing: Development of creative content through artistic processes, product demonstrations, and real-world testing experiences. By combining authentic artistic practice with strategic communication, Mako helps brands showcase their products in meaningful and engaging ways.
Palestras, rodas de conversa e cursos
Mako compartilha sua trajetória, técnicas e visões sobre arte, criatividade e processos de produção. Conduz atividades formativas para empresas, instituições culturais, escolas, eventos de arte e artesanato, etc.
Talks, Workshops & Educational Programs: Mako shares her professional journey, artistic techniques, and perspectives on creativity, urban art, and creative production. She leads talks, panel discussions, workshops, and educational activities for companies, cultural institutions, schools, and community organizations, fostering dialogue and creative learning.
Clipping
