Born in Guimarães in 1996, the city where he resides and works. He holds a degree in Fine Arts with a focus on painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and competitions in various art institutions and galleries. Notably, he participated in the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2023.

In this context, Rafael Oliveira has received distinctions such as the XVI D. Fernando II Painting Prize; Honorable Mention at the XI International Biennial of Vila Verde in 2020; Grand Prize Tapeçarias Ferreira de Sá at the 5th International Biennial of Art of Espinho in 2019; Honorable Mention at the 18th Aveiro Young Creator Competition in 2020; Honorable Mention at the 16th Aveiro Young Creator Competition in 2017. He has also participated in the InResidence art residency at the Coliseu Porto Ageas in 2023, and in projects such as Ecrã, with the Zegnea Group, in 2022; Mon(s)tra, and Quarteto de pincéis para uma tela só, in 2020.

Although he attended a degree program largely rooted in academic tradition, his work reflects a fusion of academicism and the contemporary artistic panorama. His relentless pursuit of cohesive compositional structures, harmonious chromatic combinations, and gesture as a dictating force, are aspects to be noted and considered in the interpretation of his work.