ADD FUEL is the work of Portuguese artist Diogo Machado.

Add Fuel is the artistic moniker of Portuguese contemporary artist Diogo Machado. Renowned for his innovative approach to traditional artforms, he is known for his intricate patterns, bold reinterpretations, and meticulous attention to detail—crafting multilayered compositions that bridge the timeless elegance of heritage with contemporary visual culture.

Born in Cascais, Portugal, his artistic journey began early on, with a fascination for drawing and a love for creating imaginary worlds. Influenced by the aesthetics of skateboarding culture, punk rock, graffiti, video games, and cartoons, his art embodies the dynamic energy of urban life while offering fresh and forward-thinking perspectives on cultural identity.

In 2008, captivated by the geometry, rhythm, and cultural richness of Portuguese tin-glazed ceramic azulejos, Add Fuel began exploring and reimagining this age-old art form. His tile-inspired works seamlessly blend classical decorative elements with a distinctly contemporary sensibility, creating compositions that are both visually engaging and conceptually profound. Through techniques that include symmetrical repetition, trompe-l'œil, and layered patterning, he invites the viewer to uncover hidden narratives and reflect on what lies beneath the surface of his intricate designs.

Working across various media, from small-scale tile panels to monumental murals, bespoke ceramic installations, sculptures, and limited-edition prints, Add Fuel has redefined azulejo art as a medium for storytelling and cultural exploration. His public art interventions can be found across Portugal, France, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Australia, Italy, and Tunisia, among many other locations around the globe. Each intervention reflects his commitment to connecting communities with their cultural heritage while transforming urban spaces into dynamic territories for interaction and reflection.

Add Fuel has shown his work extensively in solo and group exhibitions at prestigious institutions, including the Petit Palais and Galerie Itinerrance in Paris, StolenSpace Gallery and Saatchi Gallery in London, Wynwood Walls and Fabien Castanier Gallery in Miami, Subliminal Projects in Los Angeles, as well as the National Tile Museum and Underdogs Gallery in Lisbon. His exhibitions celebrate the complex layers and multifaceted narratives within his work, encouraging audiences to engage with and explore both its aesthetic beauty and cultural resonance.

Group events and exhibitions

• BOOM, Salina, Kansas, USA 2023
• URBAN (R)EVOLUTION, Cordoaria Nacional, Lisboa, Portugal 2023
• BLINK, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA 2022
• Lisbonne sur Seine, Paris, France 2022
• Urban Week, Paris, France 2022
• Beyond Walls, Fall River, Massachusetts, USA 2022
• Djerbahood, Djerba, Tunisia 2022
• Wynwood Walls, Miami, Florida, USA 2021
• The Crystal Ship, Ostend, Belgium 2021
• Hidden In Plain Sight, Unit44 Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK 2020
• Papers Please, Colab Gallery, Weil am Rhein, Germany 2020
• Iminente Festival, Lisbon, Portugal 2020
• New Rules, Castanier Gallery, Miami, USA 2020
• FALU Festival, Caldas da Rainha, Portugal 2020
• Conversas na Rua, Amadora, Portugal 2020
• Paint Red Save Lives, Lyon, France 2019
• Klaipeda Public Art Trienal, Klaipeda, Lithuania 2019
• Beyond Walls, Lynn, USA 2019
• Writers Block, Leeuwarden, Netherlands 2019
• Civita Street Fest, Civita, Italy 2019
• Maya Angelou Mural Festival, Los Angeles, USA 2019
• Popeye 90th Anniversary Exhibition, Beijing, China 2019
• Juxtapoz Clubhouse, Miami, USA 2018
• Basel House Mural Festival, Miami, USA 2018
• Crush Walls, Denver’s Urban Art Festival, Denver, USA 2018
• Alter Ego, Macau, China 2018
• Tanto Mar. Fluxos Transatlânticos do Design, MUDE Museum, Lisbon, Portugal 2018
• Revolutions Per Minute, Saatchi Gallery, London, United Kingdom 2017
• Hand Luggage Only, Nuart Gallery, Stavanger, Norway 2017
• Nuart Aberdeen Festival, Aberdeen, United Kingdom 2017
• A Better View, ABV Gallery, Atlanta, USA 2017
• Post Street Art, Tou Scene, Stavanger, Norway 2016
• Nuart Festival, Stavanger, Norway 2016
• Sacramento Mural Fest, Sacramento, USA 2016
• Festival Muraliza, Cascais, Portugal 2016
• Muros Tabacalera, Madrid, Spain 2016
• Festival Muro, Lisbon, Portugal 2016
• PUBLIC’16, Perth, Australia 2016
• 352walls, Gainesville, USA 2016
• Rough Cast, Colab Gallery, Weil am Rhein, Germany 2015
• Forgotten Project, Rome, Italy 2015
• Festival Muraliza, Cascais, Portugal 2015
• Urban Now, Metamorfose Gallery, Porto, Portugal 2015
• SOMA, Underdogs Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal 2014
• Djerbahood, Djerba, Tunisia 2014
• Mar Motto, Montana Gallery Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal 2014
• WOOL on residence, Covilhã, Portugal 2014
• Festival Muraliza, Cascais, Portugal 2014
• ARTURb Residency, LAC, Lagos, Portugal 2013
• Fusing Festival, Figueira da Foz, Portugal 2013
• Le M.U.R., Mulhouse, France 2013
• Tour Paris 13, Paris, France 2013
• Urban Art LX, Influx Contemporary Art, Lisbon, Portugal 2012
• LA Artwalk, The Medallion, Los Angeles, USA 2011
• Push Click, Montana Gallery Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal 2011
• Burnt, Together Gallery, Portland, USA 2010
• Sleight of Hand, Recoat Gallery, Glasgow, United Kingdom 2010
• Red Bull Street Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal 2007
• MadTurnip’s Madgic Trexi Custom Toy Design, Paris, France 2006