An experimental mirror atelier in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil.

imperfect,continuousand unique

Each work is made by hand, exploring the relationship between mirror and matter.

Espejismo is the Spanish word for mirage: something you see that is not there. A mirror from the atelier gives your reflection back mixed with colour.

Espejismo Ateliê is born where mirror meets matter. In the atelier, resin, colour and gesture become one-of-one pieces, each composition revealing its own forms, textures and movement.

How the atelier began

Round mirror in pink and orange tones, held in two hands above the sand, reflecting palm trees.
A mirror from the atelier, on the beach.

The artists

Monique Marques and Merisse Effgen

Espejismo Ateliê belongs to the artists Monique Marques and Merisse Effgen. Every piece leaves the atelier with a certificate signed by them.

A little about each of them: training, path, and how they came to the mirror

One of the artists in a red-walled hallway, arms open between two mirror and resin works hanging on the wall.
One of the artists seated in a pale armchair in a wood-panelled room, looking towards the window light.
The artists of Espejismo Ateliê.
Filmed in the atelier. 25 seconds, no sound.

Made by hand, on the mirror

Colour is poured straight onto the surface and guided by hand. It spreads the way it wants to, which is why no piece repeats.

A black-gloved hand pouring blue pigment onto a mirror dotted with yellow circles.
Pigment is poured onto the mirror.
A torch passing over the blue and yellow surface of the piece.
A flame passes over the surface.
A torch passing over a round mirror in red and aqua, laid on newspaper.
The flame passes over a round piece.
A hand working the surface of a round mirror in pink and orange, on newspaper.
The surface is worked by hand.

Every piece is made in epoxy resin on the mirror.

Process: steps and curing time

Works

Each piece exists only once.

Rectangular mirror covered in deep blue with yellow marks, on the atelier workbench.

Name of the work

Deep blue and yellow on a rectangular mirror.

Year
to be confirmed
Dimensions
to be confirmed
Materials
to be confirmed
Availability
to be confirmed
Ask about this work

Name of the work

Red and amber on a round mirror.

Year
to be confirmed
Dimensions
to be confirmed
Materials
to be confirmed
Availability
to be confirmed
Ask about this work
Round mirror in a red-to-amber gradient, reflecting the atelier.

More pieces

Rectangular mirror in red, yellow and violet, hung on a brick wall in warm light.
On the wall.
Detail of a red and yellow mirror reflecting a bookshelf.
The reflection mixed with colour.
Two iridescent round mirrors in pink, orange and green, held among dry palm fronds.
Two round mirrors.
Pink round mirror hanging at a beach kiosk, reflecting palm trees and sand.
At a beach kiosk.
Three colourful rectangular mirrors propped on a sofa, with two cats asleep beside them.
Three pieces at home.
A cat beside a rectangular mirror in orange, green and pink.
A mirror and a cat.

Name, year, dimensions and availability of these pieces

Photographs of finished works: send in high resolution to replace the video stills

Espejismo Ateliê certificate of authenticity, with serial number, technical sheet, the Obra Única seal and a line for the artists' signature.

One of one

Every piece leaves the atelier with a numbered certificate of authenticity, signed by the artists.

It records the name of the work, the year, the collection, the dimensions and the materials. It is the record of the piece's provenance, and it travels with the work wherever it goes.

Caring for your piece

Your piece is made in epoxy resin, a tough material that still likes a little care when it is cleaned, to keep its mirrored shine.

Cleaning

For fingerprints and dust, mix a few drops of neutral detergent into warm water. Dip a soft microfibre cloth, wring it until it is only damp and wipe the piece gently. Straight after, go over it with a second, dry microfibre cloth so no water marks are left.

What to avoid

Never use alcohol, acetone, glass cleaner or degreasers: they react with the resin and leave the surface dull or whitish. No scourers or sponges, and no coarse paper towels. The resin is smooth as glass but can pick up fine scratches.

Light and heat

Keep the piece out of constant direct sun, such as by a sunny window: over the years, UV light can yellow the resin. The resin is fine at room temperature but does not like excessive heat or hot objects resting against it.

Vila Velha, Brazil

Every piece is made here. Photos of the atelier and its surroundings

Two Espejismo Ateliê posters among plants, one black with the phrase imperfeito, contínuo e único, the other an orange gradient with the atelier's symbol.
Metal keyring in the shape of the atelier's symbol. Wooden stamp and the Espejismo Ateliê, Obra Única mark stamped on paper.

Visual identity: Studio Inventa.

Atelier soundtrack

A selection to keep the pieces company: slow, warm, luminous music, like colour spreading across the mirror.

Tap a track to listen here. The music keeps playing while you browse the site.

  1. La Femme d'ArgentAir
  2. Na Boca do SolArthur Verocai
  3. Heaven or Las VegasCocteau Twins
  4. Oração ao TempoCaetano Veloso
  5. Space SongBeach House
  6. Water CopyHiroshi Yoshimura
  7. Maria TambiénKhruangbin
  8. BabyGal Costa
  9. TeardropMassive Attack
  10. Ando Meio DesligadoOs Mutantes
  11. Cherish the DaySade
  12. An Ending (Ascent)Brian Eno

Write to the atelier

To find out which works are available, or to talk about a piece, write directly to the artists, Monique and Merisse. The conversation starts on WhatsApp.

Write on WhatsApp @espejismoatelie espejismoatelie@gmail.com

Commissions and shipping: confirm whether the atelier takes commissions and where it ships