About the Artist
Growing up in Recife, Britto spent time playing with his eight siblings. At a young age, he received a book that featured a number of paintings, and he felt himself drawn towards the bright colors and unique designs. When his older brother showed him other art books, he began painting images and canvases that recreated the work of the masters. Britto later went to college as a prelaw student and planned to attend law school after graduation. As he began focusing more on his art and less on his studies, he decided to quit school and devote himself to art. Britto displays some of his pieces and work created by up-and-coming artists at his Miami gallery, but he also shows his work at other galleries and museums. As a self-taught artist, Britto has no formal training. He never attended art school, preferring to grow as an artist as he gained inspiration from the people he saw and places he traveled. His talent caught the attention of Michel Roux, who hired the artist to work on an advertising campaign for Absolut Vodka. Britto also worked on advertising campaigns for Pepsi and other companies.Britto later moved to Miami, Florida, and began creating Pop Art pieces that often included recognizable figures. Mickey’s World shows the iconic animated character holding a large globe by his side. Some of his work, such as Everglades Green and Everglades Red, combined Pop Art with Cubism, but he also used mixed media or acrylic paint on canvas in many of his pieces, including Sitting Girl. After spending several years on painting and mixed-media creations, Britto tried his hand at sculpting. One of his pieces is now on display at Hyde Park, while another is in the John F. Kennedy International Airport. Despite starting out in the advertising field, he began showing his work in 1990. The artist also donates money and time to several charities and organizations around the world. He’s known for creating work for the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and St. Jude’s Hospital.