Brazil’s new generation: names to watch By Francesca Bellini Joseph
Renata Lucas
Born: Ribeirão Preto, 1971
Format: Installation and sculpture
Well-known works: “Falha”, 2003; “Venice Suitcase”, 2009; “Kunst-Werke”, 2010
Why she is important: Lucas produces few pieces – no more than 10 per year. Her primary market is very scarce but as the works are all unique they find buyers almost immediately. She has exhibited at the most reputable international events and institutions – Venice Biennale, Sao Paulo Bienal, Documenta and Tate Modern. Great works to have – if you can find one.
‘Cinthia Marcelle
Born: Belo Horizonte, 1974
Format: Performance, film, photography and installation
Well-known work: “Sobre este mesmo mundo”, 2009, right
Why she is important: She stages a situation and then allows it to evolve organically. Her international exposure is growing, with exhibitions at the Istanbul Biennal, Tate Modern and the Sharjah Biennial 11. She was one of the first contemporary artists to be awarded the Future Generation Prize.
Marcius Galan
Born: Indianapolis, 1974
Format: Installation, sculpture, drawing
Well-known works: “Diagonal Section”, 2008; “Three sections”, 2008; Isolantes, 2011
Why he is important: Galan is a dynamic artist who is constantly producing works and is in huge demand among collectors. Last year he exhibited at the São Paulo Bienal and had a solo exhibition at the White Cube gallery in London. This is an artist who is going through a phase of professional expansion and prolific production.
Jonathas de Andrade
Born: Maceió, 1982
Format: Installation
Well-known works: “Tropical Hangover”, 2009; “Education for Adults”, 2010; “Yesterday Today”, 2011 Why he is important De Andrade has exhibited at the Bienal in São Paulo, La Bienal 2013 at El Museo del Barrio in New York and London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts. Not all collectors can own one of his pieces: his gallery gives preference to museums and collectors with a long track record. So if you want an Andrade, you’d better start building a relationship with his dealers first.
André Komatsu
Born: São Paulo, 1978
Format: Performance, installation, drawing, sculpture
Well-known work: “Como se comporta o que se consome, como se consome o que se comporta”, 2009, below
Why he is important: His work explores ideas of urbanism, architecture and boundaries. He reuses materials found in urban spaces and is prolific, producing up to 50 pieces a year. Half his market is in Brazil and the other half is distributed across the UK, US and Latin America. His profile is set to increase, with growing interest from institutions such as Tate Modern.
Francesca Bellini Joseph is director of art consultancy Portafolia. She is specialist in growth art markets and a consultant professor at Sotheby´s Institue Online. She is co-author of Kingston Smith Latin American art market report 2013 co-produced by Portafolia and ArtTactic.