Romero Britto was born on October 6, 1963 in Recife, Brazil. Son of Rosemiro Britto, a polceman, and Lourdes Britto. He grew up among a big family of eight brothers and sisters. One of his brothers is Baltemar Brito, a Brazilian retired football player. Other brother's name is Robson Britto. Also Romero has a sister, Roberta Britto.
Britto is self-taught. At an early age, he painted what he saw and what he imagined on surfaces such as newspapers, cardboard or any scraps that he could find. With an inordinate passion to excel, he prospered academically at the Catholic University of Pernambuco. Still, Britto's artistic nature eventually led him to seek experiences outside the classroom, and in 1983 he visited Paris to study art and painting.
Romero Britto revealed his art to the public for the first time at the age of 14 in an exhibition held by the Organization of American States. He received honors for his works, but was unsure of developing a career in art, but later he realized that art was his true passion. In 1983 he visited Paris, where he caught his first glimpse of artwork by Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. The techniques of both Matisse and Picasso would forever shape Britto’s artistic career. After exhibiting in a few galleries and private shows, Britto was encouraged to travel to the United States where Pop Art was flourishing.
Britto has lived in Miami, Florida since 1989. There he was selected by Absolut Vodka in 1989 to create an ad campaign that appeared in more than 65 publications. As an indication of his talent, Britto was also invited to create a custom 25th anniversary bottle for the Absolut Art Ad Campaign.
Romero Britto was part of major international art fairs, among them were FIAC Paris and Art Salon Hong Kong. His exhibitions were shown around the globe some of which were the 2016 Presidential campaign of Governor Jeb Bush as well as for Monsanto, Bain Capital, Movado, Philip Morris, Academi (formerly Blackwater), Disney, Enrico Coveri, Pepsi, the United Nations, BMW and Royal Caribbean Cruises.
Besides, he dedicates a lot of his time and talent to international organizations such as St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, the American Red Cross, and Best Buddies International. He has been a significant contribution to protecting and preserving the Brazilian Rainforest, assisting the ill, funding AIDS research, and much more. His passion for helping the community has led him to create the Britto Foundation in 2007 in Miami. The foundation supports education and philanthropy for children.
In 2018, Britto collaborated with Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana in painting a Haute Couture dress for their Alta Moda Alta Sartoria show in Mexico City at the Museum of Carlos Slim - The Soumaya Museum.
Britto continues to paint and reside in Miami, with his studio located in the city’s Wynwood Arts district. He also owns the Britto Central Gallery in Miami, on South Beach on Lincoln Road.
Britto is well-known for having produced advertisements and graphics for major companies, including Apple, IBM, Volvo, Mini Cooper for BMW, Pepsi, and Disney.
His art has been shown in more than 140 galleries and museums nationwide, including Le Salon De La Societe Nationale des Beaux Arts at The Carrousel du Louvre Museum (Salle Le Notre Paris), France, Today Art Museum in Beijing, China; and the Florida Museum of Hispanic and Latin American Art in Miami. Besides, Britto’s public sculptures are featured throughout the world, including Florida, Germany, Washington D.C., and New York.
Moreover, Bentley Motors commissioned Romero Britto to paint their one of a kind concept car titled "The Britto Bentley". Britto also hosted a painting workshop benefitting FIFA's charity program "Football for Hope" in South Africa.
Furthermore, Britto served as the Brazilian ambassador for the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio, Brazil. Coca-Cola commissioned him to create artwork for the event and nominated him to carry the Olympic torch in his hometown of Recife.
Throughout the years, Britto has loaned his talent, energy, and time to more than 250 philanthropic causes, such as the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education, Best Buddies International, the World Economic and Development Fund, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Prince William And Kate Middleton
Stanley Levine
Follow Me
Queen Elizabeth II
Night Out
2010 World Cup South Africa
Dancers
Darth Vader
Cat
Journey
Absolut Britto
Summer
Family
Mona Cat
Tennis Suite Girl
We Love Rauschenberg
Mickey's World
Good girl
Florida
Dilma Rousseff
Britto Garden
Michael Jackson
Flower Power IV
Mao Zedong
Martini Sunrise
Martha Stewart
Carmen Miranda
Colorful Underwear
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco
Michael Jackson
Absolute
L.A. CAT 1995
Kate Middleton
Madonna
First Love
Queen Elizabeth II 1
Britto is a conservative, hosting a fundraiser for Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush at his Miami studio in 2015, where he unveiled a mural that he and Jeb Bush's wife Columba had painted with the slogan "#AllInForJeb". Previously, Britto held a fundraiser at his gallery for 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Optimism is the essence of Britto’s art. His unique visual language encourages hope, positivity, and happiness.
A believer in the role of an artist as an agent of positive change, Romero Britto is committed to developing and supporting the role art will continue to play in world issues.
Quotations:
“As an artist, I feel lucky to have been given the gift of creativity so that I may share my vision of a better world. I will never forget what it was like to be poor and that is why it is so important to me that my work be accessible to all people.”
"Art is too important not to share."
“I hope when people see my art they have a big smile on their face and a huge one in their heart.”
“Art can really be an agent of change. It can be inspiring and bring people together. I am blessed, because I have this gift where I can create art and bring people together with my art.”
Britto is a board member of the Best Buddies International and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and was recently appointed to the board of HRH The Prince of Wales charity, The Prince’s Trust.
Romero Britto is married to Cheryl Britto and has a son, Brendan.
