Embracing the Night, Euphoria, and the Demons That Follow
Text and interview by Valentina Parati | @valentinaxparati
Artwork by Bernardo Martins for Vetor Magazine.
In the quiet hours of the night, when the world sleeps, an AI artist draws inspiration in the shadows and darkness, crafting melancholic portraits that mirror our internal conflicts. Bernardo Martin’s work explores the beauty found in darkness, often revealing glimmers of light.
Let me introduce you Bernardo Martins, @figa.link in instagram. He is a Brazilian AI artist based in Berlin, known for redefining the boundaries between beauty, horror, and gore. His evocative and unsettling art blends fashion with the macabre, creating visuals that captivate and disturb. Armed with a background in design and photography, Bernardo has embraced AI as his primary creative tool. Moving beyond traditional horror, his portraits evoke a quieter, deeper melancholy, exploring how color, light, and texture can convey profound emotional depth.
Our conversation began with a shared passion for cyberpunk cinema—a genre that melds dystopian chaos with surreal beauty. Bernardo’s artistic vision is influenced by this genre, particularly films like Pinocchio 964 by Shozin Fukui . Known for its disturbing visuals and boundary-pushing scenes, the film’s chaotic energy and vivid color use resonate with Bernardo’s approach to AI-generated imagery. He translates this cinematic chaos into his work, manipulating contrasts, textures, and unexpected shapes to craft images that are both emotionally charged and aesthetically disorienting. For Bernardo, color is not just a technical tool but a means to heighten emotional impact, creating a palette that is both unsettling and mesmerizing. Drawing viewers into the dark allure of his creations, like the vivid, intense use of color in Pinocchio 964 or in work by Chris Cunningham - known for Bjork’s and Aphex twin’s video.
I first encountered Bernardo in a club, where we were like shadowy figures passing through the night. It wasn’t until later, during our interview, that we delved into the themes of darkness and the transformative power of the night. I was intrigued by his creative process, particularly the times he chose to work.
His answer was "3 a.m." In the shadows of the night, he finds inspiration, working with an almost utopian rhythm—living fully by day, cycling around the city, but truly creating in the deep, quiet hours of the night. Bernardo’s creative process is profoundly influenced by the nocturnal hours, finding inspiration in the uninterrupted darkness. For him, the night offers both freedom and a reflection of his inner world.
Artwork by Bernardo Martins for Vetor Magazine.
When I first saw Bernardo’s work, I noticed dancers—figures that seemed to be entities lost in a timeless club scene. He mentioned the term "dancers in the dark," fragmented beings illuminated by strobe lights, their faces sculpted by shifting neon. It was clear to me, that club culture deeply informs his creative process.
“The night is the only time I feel truly free", Bernardo explains. As queer individuals, the anonymity of the dark hours provided solace and protection, a space of freedom. Now, the night serves as both muse and mirror, in Bernardo is reflecting his inner conflicts and creative process. The paradox of euphoria and its aftermath—how the night can offer fleeting joy but also leave behind a residue of loneliness and darkness—is central to his work.
Bernardo’s artistic journey began in Brazil, a country renowned for its vibrant and joyful club culture. “In Brazil, it’s all about freedom and dancing together, Uplifting, supporting each other” he recalls. However, his move to Berlin introduced him to a darker, more introspective nightlife. Berlin’s clubs, while still venues for self-expression, carry a seriousness and detachment that contrast with the vibrant energy of Brazil. This shift has deeply impacted his work, infusing it with a melancholic, haunting quality.
The blend of influences from both cultures is evident in his portraits, which balance joy and macabre, color and subdued tones. “The night is a savior,” he says, “but that freedom is always tinged with something darker.” The night was once a space where he could exist without judgment, but it no longer holds the same liberating energy. Instead, it has become more serious, less about creativity and more about survival. While Berlin offers a platform for queer spaces and self-expression, the sense of togetherness and mutual upliftment he sought has given way to something darker.
For a long time, he found inspiration in The Club Kids (queer-movement in NY, known for their costumes and performances, transforming nightlife into a surreal, chaotic art form. They saw the club as a sacred space, almost ritualistic, drawn to their creativity and vibrant freedom.)
Artwork by Bernardo Martins for Vetor Magazine.
“Even the club kids had their demons,” he reflects, referring to infamous figures like Michael Alig, whose dark side eventually surfaced. This darkness, however, is not something to avoid. We have to embrace those things, he says. By facing the shadows within, we begin to heal. We should view the dance floor as a place of healing.
Bernardo’s art becomes a form of portraiture that explores the hidden aspects of the self— the demons that accompany the fleeting euphoria of freedom. The endless nights, the relentless pursuit of joy, and the darkness that follows are recurring themes in his work.
At the heart of Bernardo’s work lies his passion for portraiture. His portraits are not mere representations; they are emotional landscapes that reveal the inner worlds of his subjects. Despite the crowded nature of Berlin’s nightclubs, Bernardo’s images often depict a profound sense of detachment. His approach to portraiture emphasizes texture and color, viewing skin tones as emotional expressions rather than mere pigments. “It’s not just about how it looks but how it feels,” he says, focusing on capturing these textures and emotions to deliver a deeper, more visceral impact. His figures, are melancholic, but also they gave a sense of calm.
When asked which musicians he listens to while working, Bernardo mentioned a range of experimental and boundary-pushing artists whose sonic landscapes parallel his own visual explorations. Music plays a role in Bernardo’s creative process, shaping the tone and mood of his art. Ambient and experimental music from artists like Boards of Canada, Bjork, Aphex Twin, and Arca provide a soundtrack that complements his work. “Their music is soothing and disturbing at the same time,” he notes, reflecting the duality of emotions he strives to capture in his art. This blend of calmness and nervous energy mirrors the depth and complexity of his portraits.
‘’I love how ambient music can be both calming and unsettling at the same time. It’s like there’s a nervous energy beneath the surface. I’m sure if I make the listen to my mom, she will think is too clubby. Ambient music is serene on the outside, but with a lot of depth and complexity underneath.‘’
One of the most exciting aspects of Bernardo’s work is his use of AI, which has revolutionized his creative process. AI allows him to generate multiple images simultaneously, offering the freedom to experiment and refine his creations. This newfound independence enables him to push the boundaries of portraiture, creating work that is both personal and innovative. AI gives him control and autonomy over his creations. “It’s the first time I’ve felt that I can generate something new, not just from others but from myself.” Even in this digital process, however, the element of surprise plays a crucial role.
‘’I can create, experiment, and surprise myself in ways I couldn’t before. What I love most is the freedom AI gives me. When I’m working with it, I generate multiple images at once, but I don’t just accept the first result. I take time to select, collect, and refine. It’s part of the process, part of the final result. And because of that, I feel like I’m not just imitating someone else’s work, but discovering something new within myself. ‘’
Artwork by Bernardo Martins for Vetor Magazine.
‘’ The creative industry can be tough. There’s always this pressure to look around, see what others are doing, and try to emulate their success. Coming from a design background — People are becoming fixated on imitating one another or constantly chasing trends. But with AI, I feel more independent. I’m not relying on mood boards or other people’s work to guide me. It’s the first time I’ve felt that I can generate something coming from myself, and that’s been really liberating.‘’
He creates and collects images, often producing multiple versions at once. This act of selection, of curating his own output, allows for spontaneity even within the structured process of digital creation. The surprise is essential—it keeps him connected to the unpredictability of art. In the end, his work is not just a reflection of a single emotion or experience but a collection of them—moments of loneliness, sadness, euphoria, and calm all woven together into a singular vision of the night.
Bernardo’s AI-generated images go beyond mere visuals, becoming emotional landscapes that capture the delicate balance between freedom and despair. By delving into the complexities of the human experience, his portraits invite viewers to engage with the hidden emotions beneath the surface.