Rúben Gonçalves, born in 1997, is an artist from Loulé (Portugal) As an artist he takes inspiration from his studies and surroundings and doesn't attempt to conceal his influences as they are often fundamental parts of the work itself. In that same line of work, he has been showing a certain eclecticism that is characteristic of those who value experimentation, often prioritizing the organic creative process over aesthetics or concept, and vice versa.

Rúben’s body of work is universally wrapped in a thin and gentle veil of mysticism, as if his own works were aware of it, and asked to be contemplated or meditated upon, instead of just being glanced over. Exploring themes such as still life and psychoanalysis in order to question his work's own nature and physicality; this mysticism is particularly palpable in his long drawings, addressed as "performative" by the artist himself, where the gesture becomes timeless as calligraphic signs. It's that same concept of sign that leads him to transfer the restlessness from his longer drawings to a more condensed format, where this anti-calligraphic calligraphy becomes more autonomous and impactful.