The Art of Romero Britto

Born in Recife, Brazil in 1963, Romero Britto is known for his electic, neo-pop art which incorporates elements of cubism, pop art and graffiti mixed with vibrant colours and bold patterns. Britto sees his art as embodying a visual expression of hope and happiness, and reflects the inherent optimism that he feels toward the world, and toward life. Because of Romero’s radiant spirit and uplifting pieces of art, he has now come to be regarded as one of the greatest pop artists of the modern world.

Despite his accomplishment in the international art world, Britto has become a household name for a subset of art collectors: those who collect Disney.

Beginnings

Though Britto is now 51 and an accomplished artist for the Walt Disney Company, his beginnings were humble. Britto grew up as one of nine children, and taught himself how to enjoy art and use it to create a world of his own. From a very early age, Britto was said to paint whatever he saw, using whatever he had – often this was done on newspapers, cardboard or any scraps of paper he could find around the house - even as a child, Britto was intent on blazing a trail for himself.

As an adult, at around twenty years of age, Britto’s deep passion for his artistic side led him to Paris where he visited galleries and private shows, falling in love with the work of artists such as Picasso and Matisse. Because of Britto’s unique style, he was encouraged to move to the United States where Pop Art was flourishing, and where the work of Andy Warhol had made a recent revival.  Little did Britto know, that his influence on the artistic world would come to be just as powerful as the work of Warhol.

For the past 26 years, Romero has lived in Miami, Florida where he has his own studio. Britto has produced artwork for museums and galleries in over 100 countries, public art installations for Cirque Du Soleil, the World Cup and Fifa, and has produced unique artwork for many corporations such as Pepsi, Absolut and BMW. Britto’s pieces are also known to feature in the private collections of celebrities such as Michael Jordan and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Throughout his career he has appeared in articles by The New Yorker, Vanity Fair and Forbes. Romero has truly established himself as the world leader in neo-pop art, and one of the most influential artists of our time.

The Road to Disney

As a child, Britto was hypnotized by the beauty and whimsy of the Disney world, and dreamed of being able to produce art for the Walt Disney Co. In 1997, this dream was brought to fruition when he was invited to attend the Walt Disney Art Classic forum at Disneyland, California. It was in this setting that he revealed his Disney inspired serigraph featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Tom Caravella, the Director of Licensing for Walt Disney Art Classics was so impressed with the vibrant, cheerful nature of Britto’s work that he invited him to the Fine Art Program, held by the Walt Disney Co. This prestigious program features a select group of artists who are chosen to create inspired, artistic representations of all things Disney – characters, properties and more!

Britto’s work can now be seen at Disney stores all over the world, as well as gift stores in almost every country and online. It is even possible to meet Romero Britto when he holds ‘meet-and-greet’ times at Disney World, Orlando.

Britto’s Disney inspired pieces include, but are not limited to:

• Lunch bag
• Framed pop art
• Decorative boxes
• Mugs
• Canisters
• Ornaments/figurines
• Key chains
• Plush toys
• Luggage tags
• Money bank
• Bookends
• Baby stuff
• Cookie jar
• Backpacks
• Notebooks
• IPhone covers
• Cushions
• Trinket dishes
• Votive candle holders 

Britto’s bright, colourful pieces attract the attention of small children, older children and adults alike – particularly the bold patterned of his pop-inspired Disney recreations. The timeless design of each Disney figurine or accessory resonates with people of all ages and brings a smile to anyone who is in the presence of one of his radiant pieces.

To see more pieces by Romero Britto, check out our range of beautiful Disney inspired pieces by the pop culture icon himself.