Malva Museo

Happiness is a daily choice


Happiness is a daily choice stands for the duality of life and how we are exposed to it. Despite what goes inside of us, we have to choose happiness, every day. Who you are and who you become is the sub-product of our daily choices. Inside: apparent calm and balance. Male and female energies on right and left sides. The curtains are also balanced, peaceful and the sheer fabric suggests that, despite the open window, there is no winds to disturb the cat’s sleep. On the floor level there is a bit of confusion of all things left unattended. On the left side of the painting a book dictates what we all should obey: the declaration of human rights. Perhaps the happy childhood outside is not by chance, but because of humanitarian and societal rules that should guide life and humanity. Outside: we are all allowed to play, to laugh, to hurt, to dare, to exist. No violence is allowed. Between the two sides, on the window screen lays a plate with a slice of watermelon. We must feed our hopes with justice and equality. But it is also there to remind us all that not everyone is allowed to a sovereign existence. On the other side, the key. The right to return, the right to a home, the right to belong and feel safe.

Luciana Mariano ©

This painting is being exhibited at Maksla XO Gallery in Riga, Latvia, from June 4 till July 11, 2026.

The Maze

Life is a maze, an amazing trip. A sure destination without a timetable, just a limited, unpredictable time to go across. Dead ends, swirls and turns. Sweet meetings and sad farewells. You can walk bare feet or fly, but you can’t escape. You may as well enjoy the ride and pay attention to the signs along the way. Beauty and poetry is not always given, but can always be found there. Serendipity, chances, possibilities on every corner, though it depends on your deliberate intention to find those. There is no right or wrong ways, every walk will bring you forward, even if you feel stuck, even when you walk in circles or if you don’t walk at all. Time drives the way and takes you to what you need to see, learn, live. Happiness it is definitely a choice, an intent and decision to be perceived and found throughout the way.

A vida é um labirinto, uma viagem incrível. Um destino seguro sem horário, apenas com um tempo limitado e imprevisível para atravessar. Becos sem saída, redemoinhos e reviravoltas. Doces encontros e tristes despedidas. Você pode andar descalço ou voar, mas não pode escapar. Você também pode aproveitar o passeio e prestar atenção às placas ao longo do caminho. A beleza e a poesia nem sempre são dadas, mas sempre podem ser encontradas ali. O acaso, as chances, as possibilidades estão em cada esquina, embora dependa da sua intenção deliberada de encontrá-las. Não existem caminhos certos ou errados, cada caminhada o levará adiante, mesmo que você se sinta preso, mesmo quando ande em círculos ou nem ande. O tempo conduz o caminho e te leva ao que você precisa ver, aprender, viver. A felicidade é definitivamente uma escolha, uma intenção e uma decisão a ser percebida e encontrada ao longo do caminho.


The Maze of Life is in exhibition at Malva Museum, Lehti, Finland. In the collective exhibition “Destinations”, curated by Veikko Halmetoja, until November 2024.