Login email:		Password:
Remember me		Forgot password?

• Hedge Funds
• Private Equity
• Forex
• Case Studies
• Agribusiness
• Renewable Energy
• Real Estate
• Technical Analysis
• Philanthropy
• Regulation
• Art
• Wine
• Commodities
• Emerging Markets
• Mining
• Ventures

Brazilian Urban Art: From Street to Chic

Tiffany Joy Swenson

There has always been something fascinating about the allure of Brazilian culture that has caused people from around the world to want to latch on to its magic. From Carnival to Bossa Nova to Victoria’s Secret models—the world wants what Brazil has. When it comes to urban art (commonly referred to as “street” art), Brazil is home to some of the most innovative and inspiring artists to date. The definition of street art, known by some as Graffiti, is “a Form of visual communication involving the unauthorized marking of public space by an individual or group.”

It is true that in cities around the world, many artists have risked delinquency for years in order to display their works. In Brazil, however, authorities stay hushed in light of the cultural value that can be seen in these artistic displays. After having gained recognition in the streets, these artists are quickly translating their works into collectable pieces such as paintings, prints, photos, fashion and more. This new generation of talent has garnered a legion of faithful and surprisingly young followers, and in turn is becoming a focus point in the ever-expanding Latin American art scene.
 

When Brazilian fashion marketing wiz Baixo Ribeiro took notice of his young son’s collection of local urban artwork, he thought: there is more to this than graffiti. Having spent years incorporating local street artists into his network of fashion moguls, Mr. Ribeiro took the next logical step and founded urban art gallery Choque Cultural. Since 2000 the gallery has featured the works of some of the city’s finest street artists and has gained international acclaim as being one of the most unique and inspiring galleries in São Paulo.

According to Mr. Ribeiro, there couldn’t be a better time to take notice of the street art movement. Specifically, he notes that Brazilian artists have an energy that is quite distinct from other common street art cultures. European and even Argentine street a.....

Register for free to read full article


More in this section:

Latin American Art Growing in Popularity
A new generation of Latin American artists are ensuring that works from the region are attracting international buyers in increasing numbers. Up until thirty years ago the majority of works coming out of the region were purchased by wealthy Latin American families who would often build their collections up over many generations. Whilst South American buyers and those of Latino origin still make up the lion share of buyers from this diverse and exciting region, Virgilio Garza, Head of Latin Amer...<read full article>

The Cuban Art Revolution
Cuban Art has been increasing in value over the past decades. In the following article, ALI speaks with both Cuban-born artist Jake Fernandez as well as Jorge Moya, Curator at the Cuba Art NY foundation. Both parties give their take on why Cuban Art seems to have such alluring investment potential. Jake Fernandez was born in Havana, Cuba in 1951. His parents, a lawyer and a schoolteacher, settled the family in the town of Consolación del Sur about 120 kilometers west of Havana. Due to ...<read full article>

Christies Latin Art Sale Breaks $20 Million
By Tiffany Joy Swenson With the world slowly crawling out of the crisis depths, there has been an ignited interest in Latin American fine art investment seen by this year’s Latin Art Sale at Christie’s New York. The sale totaled over $20 million dollars, greatly surpassing last year’s totals. ALI had a chance to speak exclusively with Virgilio Garza, the head of Latin American art sales at Christie’s New York. In the following interview he gives insight to the potent...<read full article>

Alternative Latin Investor speaks with Latin American Art Museum of Amersfoort
LAKMA started with a foundation dedicated to the Spanish artist José Gausachs. Gausachs was an artist who emigrated from Spain during the Spanish Civil War, before the Second World War. For many, Gausachs is an unknown name; however, he is of great importance to Latin America's art history. He was the disciple of great masters such as Isidre Nonell and Felix Mestre. He cultivated friendships in Paris with other famous painters of his time, such as Amadeo Modigliani, Georges Braque and ...<read full article>