BIOGRAPHY
Rodrigo Franzao is a contemporary artist based in New Orleans, whose artistic practice spans New York, New Orleans, and São Paulo, focusing on textile art and mixed media. Utilizing fabrics, acrylic paints, and eco-friendly paper, Franzao emphasizes sustainability and environmental responsibility. His works create a dynamic interplay of light, shadow, color, and texture, through carefully folded strips of paper and layered canvases, evoking a kinetic art effect.
With a background in Literature and Arts, an MBA in Museology and Art History, and specializations in Psychopedagogy and Art Therapy, Franzao's practice is grounded in the interaction of forms, colors, and textures. In 2019, he founded the virtual museum, the Museu Têxtil, and the art magazine InTheArts, expanding his influence and research in contemporary textile art.
Franzao's extensive resume includes participation in significant biennials, notably the International Paper & Textile Art Biennial in 2024 at the Cultural Community Center GC Den Breughel in Haacht, Belgium, and the International Biennial on Textile Art - Fibremen 5 in 2015 in Scythia, Kherson, Ukraine. His works are featured in private collections in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, London, Spain, Berlin, Portugal, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, as well as in prestigious public collections, including the University of North Alabama, the Robert Yahner Collection (The National Arts Club) in New York, the Exhibition Center Museum of Odivelas in Lisbon, and the Museum of the Superior Court of Justice in Brasília.
Through his exhibitions, Franzao encourages viewers to reflect on universal themes such as life, society, and nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of opposing elements through his unique artistic expression.
ARTIST STATEMENT
In my works, I choose to work with FSC-certified eco-friendly German paper and acrylic paints, honoring my commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment. Each creation emerges from the delicate interplay of light, shadow, color, and texture, manifested through skillfully folded and layered paper strips on canvas, resulting in a dynamic effect of movement reminiscent of kinetic art.
The process begins with the careful arrangement of paper strips, overlapped to create depth and dimension. This technique not only highlights the materiality of the paper but also explores how it interacts with ambient light, producing natural shadows that bring the piece to life.
Once the structure is mounted on the canvas, I begin applying colors in a monochromatic gradient. The dark colors smoothly transition into lighter tones, culminating in a point of white light. This gradient not only adds sophistication to the piece but also simulates the natural progression of light, giving the artwork an organic and fluid aspect.
The use of sustainable materials and environmentally friendly methods is not merely an aesthetic choice but a philosophy that permeates my entire artistic practice. Each piece is a tribute to the balance between nature and art, inviting the observer to reflect on the beauty and fragility of our world.
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.
BIENNIALS
2024
International Paper & Textile Art Biennial, Cultural Community Center GC Den Breughel, Haacht, Belgium.
2015
The International Biennial on Textile Art - Fibremen 5. Scythia, Kherson, Ukraine.
AUCTIONS
ART FOR LIFE CHICAGO, Chicago, 2024. (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS)
VCPORA, New Orleans, USA, 2023. (Safeguarding the Heritage of the French Quarter)
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
Fragmentos da Existência. Andrea Redher Art Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil.
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
Cheers to 25 Years, Laura Rathe Gallery, Houston, USA
ART NOW, HEARST TOWER, Manhattan, New York
International Paper & Textile Art Biennial, Cultural Community Center GC Den Breughel, Haacht, Belgium.
Shoals Art Invitational Exhibition, University North of Alabama, Florence, USA.
Auction - ART FOR LIFE CHICAGO, Chicago, 2024. (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS)
How You Doin’ New Orleans, Merchant House, Art New Orleans Association, New Orleans, USA
Atlanta Art Week, Carousel Fine Art Group Gallery, Atlanta, USA.
Art for Art's Sake, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
Private Collection, Home Art Gallery, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Art Walk Magazine Street, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
Jardim da Primavera, Home Art Gallery, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
1st Art Festival, Degas House Museum, New Orleans, USA.
The Champagne Stroll, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
Caminhos, Andrea Rehder Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil.
2023
Art for Art's Sake, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
Auction - VCPORA, New Orleans, USA, 2023. (Safeguarding the Heritage of the French Quarter)
Full Circle, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
Azimut Brasil Wealth, Andrea Rehder Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil.
Art Walk Magazine Street, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
The Champagne Stroll, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
Contemporary Brazilian Artists, Private Collection, São Paulo, Brazil.
2022
Art for Art's Sake, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
The Champagne Stroll, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
Tecer Encaixar Acumular, Andrea Rehder Gallery, São Paulo, Brazil.
Art Walk Magazine Street, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
2019
Art for Art's Sake, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, USA.
Berlin Art Week: Latinoamerican Art, South Embassy Gallery, Berlin, Germany.
Creative Pride, National Arts Club, NY, USA.
The Champagne Stroll, Jillian Mac Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, 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
ART MIAMI, Aibo Gallery, Miami, Florida, 2024
ART ON PAPER NY, Aibo Gallery, New York, USA, 2024
ARTPE, Andrea Rehder Art Gallery, Recife, Brazil, 2024
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
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
University North of Alabama, Florence, USA.
Robert Yahner Collection, New York, USA. (The National Arts Clubs)
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
Inthearts Magazine. Fall, Issue 3, 2024. ISBN 979-8-87-540463-4
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)