Romero Britto (1963)
Brazilian painter, sculptor, silkscreen printer and visual artist, renowned worldwide for his pop art.
Romero Britto
Romero Britto was born in Recife, Pernambuco, on October 6, 1963, at the age of 8 he began to show interest and talent for the arts. With great imagination and creativity, he painted on scraps of material, cardboard and newspaper. His family helped him develop his natural talent by giving him art books to study. "I would sit and copy Toulouse and other masters from books for days on end." At the age of 14, he had his first public exhibition and sold his first painting to the Organization of American States. Although encouraged by this early success, the modest circumstances of his life motivated him to set goals and create his own future. "As a poor child in Brazil, I came into contact with the darker side of humanity. As a result, I turned to painting to bring light and color into my life." He attended public schools, received a scholarship to a preparatory school and at 17 entered the Catholic University of Pernambuco to study law. He traveled to Europe to visit new places and see the art he had only known in books. For a year, he painted and exhibited his work in several countries, including Spain, England, Germany and others. When he returned to Brazil, his desire to have contact with the world became even stronger. He wanted to continue traveling and show his art. So, he dropped out of law school and decided to visit a childhood friend, Leonardo Conte, who was studying English in Miami, in the United States. There, he realized that he had a lot of empathy for the fast pace of the "American way of life." The diverse cultural landscape and tropical beauty reminded him of Brazil. He then made Miami his permanent residence. He married Sharon, an American, and has a son, Brandon, who is being educated in Miami. He worked as a waitress in a diner and car wash, as a gardener's assistant and as a store cashier. During this journey, he made many friends and through these friends he met Cheryl Ann, whom he married and had a son, Brendan Britto. While searching for a gallery where he could exhibit his art, Romero began showing his work on the sidewalks of Coconut Grove, Florida. He then moved to the Steiner Gallery in Bal Harbour, Florida. It was at this gallery that Berenice Steiner and Robyn Tauber began selling their work to art enthusiasts from around the world. During this period, Romero began a partnership with a store that sold art furniture in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and Bayside Marketplace in Miami. These stores began selling his work. Mr. Mato, the owner of the stores, was so excited about the sales of the young Romero's work that he decided to sign a short-term lease at the then famous Mayfair Shops in Coconut Grove. The space to be rented was previously a beauty salon and Mr. Mato decided not to renew the lease, so Romero Britto's work was displayed among the salon's equipment. Thus was formed the Romero studio. Mr. Mato gave the artist the opportunity to keep the store until the end of the lease period. After the 4-month period ended, Romero took over the location and maintained his studio in the Mayfair Shops for 6 years.
It was at the Mayfair studio that Michael Roux, then CEO of Absolut Vodka, invited Romero to create a painting to be used in a new advertising campaign for the vodka. Well-known and respected pop artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf and Ed Ruscha worked on the campaign.
Romero Britto was the fifth artist to be hired by Absolut Vodka. The advertisements appeared in the most important magazines in America. There were 62 publications in the United States. These publications were distributed around the world very quickly and were seen by thousands of people.
Following Absolut's trajectory, renowned companies such as Grand Manier, Pepsi Cola, Disney, IBM and others interested in popular culture began to incorporate Romero Britto's paintings into their special projects.
Over the years, Romero has dedicated his talent, art and energy to many philanthropic causes. Using his ability and influence, he provides fundraising opportunities for important and respected organizations in several countries.
Artistic works
His art is so complete that he has been considered ambassador of the arts in the State of Florida, which was certainly a pleasure for him.
And this appointment was given by George Bush's brother, Jeb Bush. He built a pyramid as a reproduction of the Pyramids of Giza, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. He reproduced it at a height equivalent to a four-story building.
There is also a foundation, which Romero heads and believes in.
And there are many things that talk about Romero, such as in 2009 when he ended up in a District in the United States for being under the influence of alcohol.
And he is truly a great artist, as he was invited to open with Cirque Du Soleil for Super Bowl XLI. Furthermore, the UN has already asked him to create its own stamps.
He has two galleries, one in São Paulo and another in Miami.
And for the year 2012, it is not his turn to bring joy, but to be joyful, because the samba school: Renascer de Jacarepaguá will tell the artist’s story, bringing many works and with the plot by Romero Britto, the artist of joy sets the tone for the festivities.
Public Works Around the World
For You Belo Horizonte Airport, Brazil; Curitiba Airport, Brazil; City of Bay Harbor, Florida; São Paulo Museum, Brazil; Midtown Shops, Miami, Florida;
Dancing Boy City of Beaulieu, France; Midtown Shops, Miami, Florida;
Azul Basel Children’s Hospital, Basel, Switzerland;
Beach Ball Museum of Art & Science, Tallahassee, Florida; Salvador Airport, Brazil; Recife Airport, Brazil; Florida House, Washington DC;
Flying Fish Basel Convention Center, Ramada In, Switzerland;
Big Temptation City of Saugatuck, Michigan;
Big Apple JFK Airport, New York, NY; La Guardia Airport, New York, NY; Robert Shriver School, Maryland; Palmer Trinity School, Pinecrest, Florida; City of Davos, Switzerland;
The Good Girl Hillel Academy, Miami, Florida;
All About Fun Mariner of the Seas, Royal Caribbean;
The Bookworm Palmetto Bay Library, Florida
Tina the Pirate Girl Grapeland Park, Florida
Boomfish Grapeland Park, Miami, Florida; Hotel Waldhaus, St. Moritz
Flower Pot Pinecrest Public Library, Florida;
Squeaki Grapeland Park, Miami, Florida;
Garden Butterfly Arts Park, Young Circle, Hollywood, Florida; Ecole Supérieure d'Arts Plastiques de Monaco; Midtown Shops, Miami, Florida;
Montreux Jazz Raffles le Montreux Palace Hotel, Switzerland;
Dolphin Girl Fernando De Noronha Airport, Brazil;
Millie the Bunny Bush Presidential Library, Washington DC;
Miami Kids Miami Children’s Museum, Miami, Florida;
Florida Girl The Falls, Palmetto Bay, Florida;
Welcome Sheba Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel;
Welcome Dadeland North Plaza, Miami, Florida;
Kendall Kids Kendall Village Shopping Center, Miami, Florida;
Love Blossoms Miami, Florida;
Ice Skater Miami, Florida
Northen Star Miami Beach, Florida