Claudio
Tozzi
Claudio Tozzi, a pivotal figure in Brazilian Contemporary Art, is known for his artworks that reflect on political censorship, and the power of individuality. If you're looking for original Claudio Tozzi prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network's most in-demand works.
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Biography
Since the 1960s, Tozzi has been a significant voice in the art world, emerging from Brazil's dynamic cultural landscape during a time of political upheaval. He is associated with the Neo-Figuration movement, which re-established figurative painting in contrast to the prevailing Abstract Expressionism. His academic background in architecture profoundly shaped his understanding of composition and form.
During the military dictatorship in Brazil, Tozzi's work became a form of resistance against censorship. He employed art to highlight the struggles of everyday life, using vibrant imagery and references to popular culture.
Tozzi's journey began at the School of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of São Paulo, where he developed a keen eye for detail and structure.
Tozzi’s Astronauta screenprint series, created during the late 1960s, exemplifies the artist’s engagement with Pop Art aesthetics and his broader exploration of mass culture and technological progress. Reflective of the Space Race, these works depict astronauts as icons of human ambition and scientific advancement. The bold, graphic style of Astronauta (Yellow, Red, And Blue), with its vibrant flat colours and thick black outlines, draws clear parallels to the visual language of Lichtenstein.
During the 1970s, Tozzi expanded his practice beyond figuration, moving into conceptual and abstract forms that explored new shapes, lights, and colours. This period marked an evolution in his work as he moved beyond two-dimensional mediums like drawings, paintings, and screenprints to incorporate sculptures and installations. His contributions during this era were recognised in exhibitions such as the long-term display at the Pinacoteca, Brazilian Avant-Garde of the 1960s - Roger Wright Collection, cementing his position in Contemporary Brazilian Art.
Throughout his career, Tozzi's artworks have been recognised with several awards, including the Paulista Association of Art Critics Award in 1973 and the Guarantã Prize from the Brazilian Association of Art Critics in 1975, which supported his international travels. In 2002, he received 1st Prize in the Quota de Arte contest, further solidifying his reputation as a significant figure in Contemporary Art.