Romero Britto and His Work

Romero Francisco da Silva Brito was born on October 6, 1963, in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, to a large family and was one of nine siblings.

Although he had an internationally acclaimed art career, his childhood was difficult, growing up in a humble neighborhood and facing various challenges.

From a young age, he demonstrated a great interest in art and began drawing and painting in his free time.

He started his career as a street painter in Recife, selling his works to tourists.

He stated:

"As a poor child in Brazil, I came into contact with the darker side of humanity. As a result, I began painting to bring light and color to my life." - Romero Francisco da Silva Brito

Initially, he did not understand art as a profession until his older brother brought home books about famous artists.

He soon began copying the works of these masters from the books he had received from his brother day after day.

At the age of 14, he sold his first painting at an exhibition in Brasília to the Organization of American States (OAS).

In 1980, through a scholarship, he enrolled in the Law course at the Catholic University of Pernambuco (Unicap).

He aimed to become a diplomat and travel the world one day, but he only attended the course for four semesters.

In 1983, he traveled to Paris, where he visited museums and came into contact with the works of various artists he admired, such as Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.

He then traveled to the United States, where he heard that Pop Art was emerging as a respected movement.

Like any artist, he soon discovered that he would need money to buy new art materials, dedicating his first years to various jobs to maintain himself financially.

He worked as a waiter in a diner and a car wash attendant, as a gardener's assistant and a store clerk.

In his free time, he commercialized his art, selling it at low prices to friends and neighbors, and thus, creating new pieces.

During this period, he made many friends and through these friends, he met Cheryl Ann, whom he married in 1988 and had a son, Brendan Britto.

In 1989, he became an American citizen.

At this time, he began to develop his signature style, based on the use of bright colors, geometric shapes, and repetitive patterns that often convey a positive and optimistic message.

His sculptures and paintings can also be found in public and private collections around the world, including the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, and the Museum of Art in Israel.

Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and recognition for his work, including, for example, the Order of Rio Branco in 2008, considered the highest honor granted by the Brazilian government to foreign citizens.

He is also a social activist and has collaborated with various charitable institutions and non-profit organizations.

He acts as a benefactor, donating time, art, and resources to over 250 charitable organizations and various councils.

He has also given talks at the World Economic Forum in Davos and at numerous schools and institutions.

In 2010, he created the logo for Save Haiti Saturday, a national relief effort for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti that destroyed a large part of the area.

In the same year, he was commissioned to create the official poster for the FIFA World Cup.

Despite his popularity, Romero Britto's work has also been the subject of controversy and criticism.

Some art critics argue that his works are too commercial and superficial, while others praise his ability to reach a wide audience and convey a message of happiness and hope.

Regardless of the divergent opinions, Romero Britto continues to be one of the most internationally recognized and successful Brazilian artists, with his works being exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.

Currently, the artist owns a gallery in Miami, but his work can be seen all over the world.

Among the honors he has received is the opportunity to parade in the Sambadrome of Marquês de Sapucaí, he was the theme of the Renascer de Jacarepaguá school of samba in the 2012 Carnival parade.

In the United States, Romero Britto has fulfilled all the hopes and dreams he had as a child growing up in Brazil.

Today, his works are highly sought after by politicians, celebrities, and galleries, having even been responsible for some of the United Nations (UN) stamps.

Romero Britto believes that art has the power to elevate and hopes to use his art to positively change the lives of others, as it has changed his.

GALLERY

His creations vary in paintings, sculptures, serigraphs, murals, and even designs for everyday objects, such as clothing, cars, watches, and various products.

Among his most notable works, we highlight The Hug, The Teddy Bear, The Butterfly, and The Cat.