BIOGRAPHY
He lives and works between New Orleans, USA, and São Paulo, Brazil, creating textile art, mixed media, painting, and video art. Using various mediums like fabrics, natural pigments, and paper, he explores ideas rooted in philosophical and psychological approaches, observing human behavior as a social being. With an undergraduate degree in Literature and Arts, an MBA in Museology and Art History, and specialization in Psychopedagogy and Art Therapy, he founded the globally renowned Virtual Textile Museum, Museu Têxtil, and an art magazine, InTheArts, focused on Textile and Mixed Media Art. His extensive curriculum features numerous individual and collective exhibitions, and his work is showcased in private collections globally, spanning cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Boston, New Orleans, Detroit, London, Berlin, Portugal, Spain, São Paulo, and beyond. Public collections include the National Arts Clubs in New York, USA; Exhibition Center Odivelas Museum in Lisbon, Portugal; and Superior Court of Justice Museum in Brasília, Brazil. Having presented his works in individual exhibitions across Brazil, the United States, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Ukraine, and South Korea, his art invites contemplation on life, society, and the interconnectedness of opposing elements.
ARTIST STATEMENT
In my artistic journey, I delve into the depths of human essence and nature, seeking to give voice to the wounds inflicted by humanity upon the natural world. My work serves as a poignant indictment of the violence perpetrated against nature and an exposition of the silent pain it endures in the face of humanity's heedless actions. Through a diverse array of artistic expressions, ranging from mixed media to textile art and video, I illuminate fragmented details and scattered mechanisms, revealing the intricate interplay between humans and the natural world.
By blending two-dimensional and three-dimensional effects, utilizing FSC-certified eco-friendly paper and water-based paints, I forge a symbiosis of form and color, light and shadow, movement and inertia, constructing a visual narrative that transcends physical boundaries and beckons to deep contemplation. My pieces are more than mere art; they are a call to reflect on the intrinsic relationship between life, society, and the interconnectedness of all elements of our planet.
I invite the viewer to transcend within their own significance and find solace in the beauty of natural forms—a respite for pondering our collective responsibility in preserving the environment. It's time to acknowledge the urgency of taking action for the harmony between humanity and nature.
EDUCATION
2023
• MBA in Museology, Curatorship and Exhibition Management. UNITAU. Brazil.
2021
• MBA in Art History and Visual Culture. UCAM. Brazil.
2015
• Arts. CEUCLAR. Brazil.
2009
• Psychpedagogy and Art Therapy. FPA. Brazil.
2004
• Language Arts. UNIMARCO. Brazil.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
• Alma da Água. Jillian Mac Fine Arts, New Orleans, USA.
2017
• Personal Structures. Casa dos Contos Museum, Ouro Preto, Brazil.
2016
• Surfaces and Abstractions. Antônio Lino Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal.
2015
• Katharsis. National Arts Club, New York, USA.
• Involuntary Exclusion. Superior Tribunal de Justiça Museum, Brasília, Brazil.
• Weaving Shapes. Anexxo Gallery. Goiás, Brazil.
2014
• Involuntary Exclusion. Anexxo Gallery, Goiás, Brazil.
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2024
• 1st Art Festival, Degas House Museum, New Orleans, USA.
• Caminhos, Andrea Rehder Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil.
2023
• Auction - Around the Sun, VCPORA, New Orleans, USA.
• Full Circle, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
• Azimut Brasil Wealth, Andrea Rehder Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil.
• Contemporary Brazilian Artists, Private Collection, São Paulo, Brazil.
2022
• Art for Art's Sake, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
• Tecer Encaixar Acumular, Andrea Rehder Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil.
2019
• Berlin Art Week: Latinoamerican Art, South Embassy Gallery, Berlin, Germany.
• Creative Pride, National Arts Club, NY, USA.
• Little Islands Fest, Amorgos, Greece.
• South Embassy Gallery, Berlin, Germany.
• Concept: the 5th Int. Exhibition on Conceptual Art. CICA Museum, Gimpo-si, Korea.
2017
• Love Inspires. Inn Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil.
• Outside the Lines: The 4º Drawing Invitational. National Arts Club, NY, USA.
2016
• Between The Lines: Exploring Drawings. National Arts Club, NY, USA.
2015
• The International Biennial on Textile Art - Fibremen 5. Scythia, Kherson, Ukraine.
2014
• Involuntary Exclusion. Anexxo Gallery, Goiás, Brazil.
ART FAIRS
• EXPO NEW YORK, Flavio Dolce Art Projects, New York, USA, 2024
• SPARTE, Andrea Rehder Art Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil, 2024
• SPARTE/Rotas Brasileiras, Andrea Rehder Art Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil, 2023
• SPARTE, Andrea Rehder Art Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil, 2023
AUCTIONS
• VCPORA, New Orleans, USA, 2023.
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
• Natinal Arts Clubs, New York, USA.
• Exhibition Center Odivelas Museum, Lisbon, Portugal.
• Superior Tribunal de Justiça Museum, Brasília, Brazil.
• Private collectors.
CURATOR
2024
• Beyond Boundaries, Flavio Dolce Art Projects, New Orleans, USA. (10 Artists/3 Nationalities/23 Artworks)
• Threads of Tomorrow, Museu Têxtil, New Orleans, USA. (69 Artists/29 Nationalities/148 Artworks)
• Contemporary Chronicals, Flavio Dolce Art Projects, New Orleans, USA. (9 Artists/5 Nationalities/23 Artworks)
2023
• Textile Expressions, Flavio Dolce Art Projects, New Orleans, USA. (7 Artists/2 Nationalities/17 Artworks)
• Natural Impressions, Museu Têxtil, New Orleans, USA. (64 Artists/22 Nationalities/136 Artworks)
2022
• Intellectual Beauty, Museu Têxtil, São Paulo, Brazil. (43 Artists/18 Nationalities/116 Artworks)
2020
• Contrasting Shapes, Museu Têxtil, São Paulo, Brazil. (23 Artists/10 Nationalities/23 Artworks)
AUTHOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
• Threads of Tomorrow: Arte Têxtil e Mista 2013 - 2024. ISBN 978-65-998488-2-7
• Inthearts Magazine. Winter, Issue 2, 2024. ISBN 979-8-88-136387-1
• Inthearts Magazine. Winter, Issue 1, 2023. ISBN 979-8-88-068384-0
• Natural Impressions: Arte Têxtil e Mista 2003 - 2023. ISBN 978-65-998488-1-0
• Contrastes de Forma: Arte Têxtil e Mista 2014 - 2020. ISBN 978-65-001-6078-9
• Intellectual Beauty: Textile Art e Mixed Media 2004 - 2022. ISBN 978-65-998488-0-3
INTERVIEWS
• Alarcão, Joana . “In conversation: Rodrigo Franzão” Insights of a Younge Ecological Artist, Feb. 2024, p. 1. Web. (London)
• Edmeade, Evette. “Rodrigo Franzao: Versatile Artist Engaging in Mixed Media, Painting, and Video Art”. Hidden Talents: An International Art Magazine, Dec. 2023, p. 30-31, 36. Print. (England)
• Nakagawa, Zulfiya. "Rodrigo Franzão." 365 art+ Magazine, June. 2022, p. 18-21. Print. (Japan)
• Barbastefano, Pedro. "Arte em Costura." 29 Horas Magazine, July. 2022, p. 12. Print. (Brazil)
• Navarro, Dafta. "Rodrigo Franzão." Art Market Magazine, April. 2022, p. 82-95. Print. (Israel)
• Adams, Helen. "Rodrigo Franzão." Textile Curator, July. 2020, p. 1. Web. (London)
• Carson, Mary. "Rodrigo Franzão: Industrial strength stitching" Textile Artist, Oct. 2019, p. 1. Web. (London)
• Kuszynski, Piotr. Interview: Rodrigo Franzão, FAKfulness Magazine no.1, May 2019, p. 60-61. Print. (Netherlands)
• Grahm, Anne. Interview: Rodrigo Franzão, Art Reveal Magazine no.47, May 2019, p. 44-50. ISBN 9780368954870. Print. (England)
• Eichert-Schäfer, Claudia . "Interview mit dem brasilianischen Kunstler Rodrigo Franzão." Textile Art Magazine, April 2019. Web. (Berlin)
• Paiva, Maristella. "Museu Casa dos Contos recebe a exposição Estruturas Pessoais." Tv Top Cultura, March 2017. Video. (BRAZIL)
• Bennellick, Mary. "Abstract Textiles" Be Creative with Workbox, Jul./Aug. 2015, p. 82-85. Print. (ENGLAND)
• Rotelli, Pietro. "Rodrigo Franzão." The Art Zine, June 2015, p. 1. Web. (ITALY)
• Aragão, Judith Luzardo de. "Rodrigo Franzão: Subtração Involuntária." Vem Comigo TV, May 2015. Video. (BRAZIL)
• Giusti, André. "Museu do Superior Tribunal de Justiça: entrevista." Museu do Superior Tribunal de Justiça, May 2015. Audio. (BRAZIL)
• Pitcher, Sam. "Rodrigo Franzão: Abstract forms." Textile Artist, Dec. 2014, p. 1. Web. (LONDON)
SELECTED PRESS
• “Brazilian Textile Artist Rodrigo Franzão in His First New Orleans Exhibit.” New Orleans Magazine, May. 2023, p.1. Web. (New Orleans)
• "Supertition Review: Rodrigo Franzão." Arizona State University, Issue 23, May. 2019, p. 1. Web. (USA)
• "Museu Casa dos Contos recebe a exposição Estruturas Pessoais." Tv Top Cultura, March 2017. Video. (BRAZIL)
• "Espaço Cultural: Catálogo 2015." Secretária de Documentação, Memória e Cultura, Dec. 2016, p. 20. Print. (BRAZIL)
• "Supertition Review: Rodrigo Franzão." Arizona State University, Issue 16, Dec. 2015, p. 1. Web. (USA)
• "Rodrigo Franzão representa o Brasil com duas obras em Bienal de arte têxtil na Ucrãnia, que começa dia 22 de outubro." Obras de Arte, Oct. 2015, p. 1. Web. (BRAZIL)
• "Rodrigo Franzão to O Brasil na Bienal de arte têxtil na Ucrãnia." Artistas e Artes, Oct. 2015, p. 1. Web. (BRAZIL)
• "KATARZA I RAVNOTEŽA." DRUGI PAR GAĆA, Oct. 2015, p. 1. Web. (CROATIA)
• "Do espaço do STJ para Nova York". JusBrasil, Oct. 2015, p. 1. Web. (BRAZIL)
• "The National Arts Club presents Rodrigo Franzão - Katharsis." Guest of a guest, Sep. 2015, p. 1. Web. (USA)
• "Artista de Goiás é o 1º brasileiro a expor em famosa galeria dos EUA. Telas de Rodrigo Franzão vão ficar em local que já teve obras de Picasso." G1 - Globo TV, Sep. 2015, p.1. Web. (BRAZIL)
• "Rodrigo Franzão é o primeiro brasileiro a expor na Marquis Galeria em 117 anos: O espaço recebe dez obras do artista paulistano." Revista Brasileiros, Sep. 2015, p. 1. Web. (BRAZIL)
• "Rodrigo Franzão é o primeiro artista plástico brasileiro, em 117 anos, a expor na Marquis Gallery do National Arts Club, em Nova York." Obras de Arte, Sep. 2015, p. 1. Web. (BRAZIL)
• "Terraço Paulistano: SP-Abadiãnia-NY" Veja São Paulo, Aug. 2015, p. 27. Print. (BRAZIL)
• "The limit is imagination: Rodrigo Franzão on his abstract art." Arts Culture, July 2015, p. 1. Web. (ENGLAND)
• "Rodrigo Franzão - Abadiãnia, Goiás, Brazil." 365 days-365 artists, May 2015, p. 1. Web. (USA)
• "Rodrigo Franzão: Subtração Involuntária." Vem Comigo TV, May 2015. Video. (BRAZIL)
Fernandes, Maria T. "Arte em Abadiânia." Revista Roteiro Brasília, Oct./Nov. 2014, p. 16. Print. (BRAZIL)