Artist Romero Britto makes a career out of happiness
Brazilian-born artist Romero Britto catapulted to fame in 1988 when his art was selected for an Absolut Vodka art campaign.
That's when a mass audience got to see how he sees the world: bursting with love and hope, which he expresses in geometric shapes and primary colors.
Yellow and purple female fish have plump, cherry-red lips to plant kisses on orange and blue male fish wearing bowties. Teddy bears with bright patchwork fur spread their arms for a hug. Cubist-style figures with striped or polka-dotted bodies cavort amid patterned butterflies and flowers. And everywhere, there are hearts.
Britto, described as a neo-Cubist pop artist, is scheduled to be in Rochester on Wednesday, Nov. 11, for an evening reception and exhibit of his work at the Nan Miller Gallery in Pittsford. More than 50 works, including prints from his sold-out editions, will be on display. The reception, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., is free but reservations are requested."To me, art is a visual, universal language that I use to express happiness," Britto explains in an email. "My intent is for the bright colors to evoke feelings of joy, optimism and positive energy."
Miller says Britto's pieces for sale include his popular acrylic paintings as well as sculptures. They range in size from 8 by 10 inches to 4 by 5 feet, and in price from $900 to $40,000, says Miller, who was Britto's distributor for 13 years early in his career and continues to sell his work.
"His philosophy is that he wants everybody to share in the joy in the world and feel happy," Miller says. "When you look at the work, you smile."
Britto, 52, now lives in Miami, but he and his family spend time in the area at their summer home in the Finger Lakes.
Britto has been creating art since childhood. At age 20, he traveled to Paris, where he was inspired by the works of Picasso and Matisse. Britto, drawn to the geometric shapes and bright colors of those artists, added a pop art sensibility to them and created his signature style.
Although some critics charge that his art is strictly commercial and fails to explore deep subjects, Britto has never wavered in his designs and has long contended that his art's value centers on hope, love, happiness and inspiration. His work is widely appreciated in Miami, bringing him huge sales and commissions for art installations, particularly the 45-foot-high "Mr. Welcome" at a Miami metro rail station. The work features a smiley, cartoonish man wearing a multi-patterned suit and sporting an Elvis-style pompadour. Its arms and oversized gray clown hands are spread wide in welcome.
Britto's works are popular around the world. They decorate the walls of ex-presidents and professional athletes. He has licensed his designs to companies including Disney, for which he creates multi-patterned versions of figures such as Mickey Mouse and Ariel.
His work has been included in a special exhibit at the Louvre Museum in Paris and recently at the Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Early predictions for November weather here show 25 cloudy days, four partly cloudy days, and one sunny day — not on the 11th. The only sunny colors that day may be the bright ones that shine so often in Britto's art.
If you go
What: A reception for international artist Romero Britto, in conjunction with an exhibit of his work.
Where: The Nan Miller Gallery, 3000 Monroe Ave., Pittsford.
When: Nov. 11, but reservations are requested by Nov. 7 by calling (585) 292-1430 or emailing info@nanmillergallery.com. The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 5.
Cost: Free.
Information: Go to nanmillergallery.com.