Artists / Romero Britto

Romero Britto

Romero Britto Park West Gallery artist

 1963-

It is difficult to travel anywhere without encountering the unparalleled art of Romero Britto. Through his use of vibrant colors and eye-catching patterns, the artist spreads a message of optimism and love around the globe. Britto’s unique fusion of Pop Art and Cubism has been commissioned by the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the World Cup, and Disney. His art hangs in galleries and museums around the world, and he has had more of his artwork licensed than any other artist in history. Britto is an activist for charitable organizations worldwide and has donated his time, art, and resources to more than 250 charities.

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Romero Britto: Personal History

Born in 1963 in Recife, Brazil, Romero Britto was one of nine children growing up in an impoverished home. Despite a lack of resources, he expressed a desire to become an artist at the age of 8. His mom chastised him for doodling in his notebooks because they didn’t have the money to continually buy new ones. As an alternative, Britto painted on scraps of cardboard and newspaper, often using his fingers when he didn’t have brushes.

At the age of 14, Britto revealed his art to the public for the first time in an exhibition held by the Organization of American States. He received honors for his works, but was unsure of developing a career in art. He instead pursued an academic path at the Catholic University of Pernambuco on a scholarship.

When starting his third semester, Britto realized his true passion was for art, but waited another two years before traveling to Europe to study art and painting. In 1983 he visited Paris, where he caught his first glimpse of artwork by Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. The techniques of both Matisse and Picasso would forever shape Britto’s artistic career.

Romero Britto: Coming to Miami

In 1988, Britto immigrated to the United States, settling in Miami. Becoming an international artist was life-altering for Britto. In 1989 he was selected by Absolut Vodka, following in the footsteps of notable artists like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, to create custom 25th-anniversary bottles for the Absolute Art Ad Campaign. This incredible opportunity catapulted Britto into the limelight.

Throughout the years, Britto has loaned his talent, energy, and time to more than 250 philanthropic causes, such as the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education, Best Buddies International, the World Economic and Development Fund, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In 2007, the artist also established the Britto Foundation, which provides support to those who work to create, promote, and encourage humanitarian-based initiatives that benefit children around the world. Britto states that it is a tremendous personal reward to know that his art can make a difference and inspire others to give.

“Art can really be an agent of change,” Britto says. “It can be inspiring and bring people together. I am blessed, because I have this gift where I can create art and bring people together with my art.”

Britto continues to paint and reside in Miami, with his studio located in the city’s Wynwood Arts district.

Romero Britto: Style and Influences

Romero Britto’s self-taught style is a combination of Cubism, Pop Art, and graffiti. His vivid color palette, bold lines, and imaginative patterns are instantly recognizable.

Although he calls himself a Pop artist, the Cubist elements in Britto’s work should hardly surprise viewers—few artists in modern times have escaped the long shadows cast by Picasso and Georges Braque. Britto’s style emerged from these influences in the form of dazzling colors, pop imagery, playful themes, and an inventive signature within his paintings.

Optimism is vital to the essence of Britto’s art. His unique visual language encourages hope, positivity, and happiness.

“I hope when people see my art they have a big smile on their face and a huge one in their heart,” Britto says.

Britto works in a variety of mediums, including watercolor, lithography, acrylic, sculpture, and three-dimensional serigraphy.

Romero Britto: Accomplishments

  • Britto’s art has been shown in more than 140 galleries and museums nationwide, including the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France, Today Art Museum in Beijing, China, and the Florida Museum of Hispanic and Latin American Art in Miami.
  • Britto’s commissions include: Grand Marnier, Volvo, Apple Latin America, Pepsi-Cola, IBM, Disney, the United Nations, Mini Cooper for BMW, the Mariner of the Seas for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and BankAtlantic.
  • Britto’s largest sculpture project in Asia is a one-of-a-kind Royalty Pig, commissioned by NetDragon Websoft, a giant software and game development company, for their headquarters in Fuzhou, China.
  • His public sculptures are featured throughout the world, including Florida, Germany, Washington D.C., and New York. NetDragon Websoft commissioned him to create the largest commissioned sculpture in Asia for their headquarters in Fuzhou, China.
  • Collectors of his work include Michael Jordan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Andre Agassi as well as the Guggenheim family, the Rothschilds, the Kennedys, the Mitterands, President Barack Obama, and former Whitney Museum President, William Woodside.
  • In 2012, Britto’s work was honored at Brazil’s annual Rio de Janeiro Carnival, a five-day celebration held 40 days before Easter.
  • He has been profiled in numerous national publications including People Magazine, Art News, Variety, and Leaders Magazine.
  • In March 2017, Miami presented Britto with his own star on Miami’s Walk of Fame. That same year, the city named him the “Art and Cultural Ambassador of the City of Miami.”
  • In 2017, the Star Art Foundation commissioned Britto to create a work of art presented to His Holiness Pope Francis in Rome. The work was titled “Pope Francis – The Protector of the Poor and Peace Maker” and was a symbolic gesture of thanks for the pope’s support of the In Defense of Christians Foundation.

Britto: Museum Exhibitions

  • Carrousel du Louvre, Salon Nationale des Beaux-Arts
  • Sonderausstellung der Kinder-Akademie Fulda, Germany
  • Sichuan Arts Museum Chengdu, China
  • Museum of Lu Xun Art Academy Shenyang, China
  • Museum of Guanghou Art Academy Guangzhou, China
  • Museum of Contemporary Art/MOCA Shanghai, China
  • Maison de Imerique Latine de Monaco- Monaco
  • Boca Raton Museum of Art Boca Raton, Florida
  • Coral Springs Museum of Art Coral Springs, Florida
  • Fine Arts Museum of Long Island Hempstead, New York
  • Museo de Bellas Artes- San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • Goodwill Games Museum, Lake Placid, New York
  • Museu Nacional de Belas Artes Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Museo da Imagem e do Som Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Officina de Arte Belo Horizonte, Brazil
  • Museo de Cinco Pontas Recife, Brazil
  • Benemerita Universidad Automoma de Puebla, Mexico

 

Latest News About Romero Britto

CNN’s Great Big Story Profiles Romero Britto, ‘The Most Licensed Artist in History’

Park West Gallery collectors are definitely familiar with the great Romero Britto, but did you know that Britto has had more of his artwork licensed than any other artist in history? That means [...]

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