MILLION DOLLARS PAINTING-Oil on Canvas-100 x 64 inches (254 x 162.5 cm)-2021 – 2025-New York City.This large-scale oil painting, developed over four years, embodies a fusion of personal transformation and urban documentation. Inspired by the aesthetics of a QR code and the texture of a healed scar, it serves as both a visual narrative and a symbol of resilience in the contemporary art landscape.
Prilaska by Guilherme Nabhan
Prilaska is a persona created by Pedro Silver, embodying the exploration of his feminine soul and the transformative power of performance. Through fashion and expression, Prilaska plays a pivotal role in the creation of The Million Dollars Painting, capturing a moment of personal evolution and artistic freedom.
Pedro Silver and Stefan Martin on the Spell Art stage, created in the basement of Selima Optique on Christopher Street, West Village.
Built from recycled cardboard and painted in the vibrant Spell Art style, the stage was originally designed for The Million Dollars Painting music video. Over time, it became a dynamic space for performances, parties, and creative gatherings, leaving its mark on downtown Manhattan’s artistic scene.
The Million Dollars Painting
A Testament to Growth, Healing, and New York City
The Million Dollars Painting began in the aftermath of the pandemic, at a time when NFTs and QR codes were reshaping the art world. It was then that Pedro Silver decided to embark on a deeply personal and transformative journey—creating a piece that would evolve alongside his own self-improvement.
More than just a painting, this artwork became a commitment to change. Over the years, it reflected Pedro’s process of quitting cigarettes and alcohol, reshaping his lifestyle, confronting insecurities, healing from traumas, organizing finances, and building confidence in his art. At the same time, it served as a documentation of an era—New York City’s downtown art scene, where money and creativity are in constant dialogue.
The painting traveled through the city as Pedro’s life evolved:
• Broome Street (6 months) – The first strokes were laid in the heart of SoHo.
• Christopher Street (6 months) – A shift in perspective, a new phase.
• Bowery (6 months) – Growth and transformation continued.
• Upper East Side (6 months) – A new environment, a refined vision.
• Back to Christopher Street (1 year) – A return to familiar ground, deepening the process.
• Brooklyn, South Slope (final 2 years) – The completion, a matured perspective.
During this time, a stage in “Spell Art”, created in collaboration with Stefan Martin, was built in a basement studio on Christopher Street. Originally designed for The Million Dollars Painting music video, this studio became home to the painting itself for several years. Beyond its original purpose, the stage transformed into a creative hub—hosting parties, performances, and fostering a vibrant community. It became an integral part of downtown Manhattan’s artistic and cultural history.
The result of this journey is a 100” x 64” oil on canvas, visually inspired by a QR code or a healed scar—symbolizing both technology and personal restoration. It is a tool for healing, a time capsule, and an artist’s testament to resilience and ambition in NYC.
Parallel to the painting, music became another medium for healing. Singing and performing helped Pedro face fears while also commenting on pop culture and the modern artist’s relationship with fame.
The Million Dollars Painting is not just an artwork—it is a journey, a challenge, and a statement on value, perseverance, and the unseen forces that shape an artist’s life.