 Gaspar
Cunha
The famous
Brazilian graphic artist and painter living in the U.S.A. since
1975, has decided to make a difference in Art History.He brought
significant innovations to his work making each painting a master
piece of this time. His philosophy inspired a new creation, the new
technique "Neon Highlights". This style of workmanship combines the
use of natural light and shadow application surrounded by highlights
straights from the tube, creating a new born style in paintings that
is already knows in the Art field as his signature .
The great debut is ready, " I will be there " and to Mr. Gaspar the
best place to be is the most famous Art Show in New York the "Art
Expo". Gaspar attributes his talent as a gift given by God.
I agree with the New York press Daily News (city lights section)"every
stroke speaks"...When they saw his Work displayed at the Rockefeller
Center entrance on 5th Ave on Art Show , on April 09, 1991.
You can see his marvelous creations, biography, & contact
information at contact
BIOGRAPHY
GASPAR CUNHA
Gaspar Cunha was born in November 19, 1951, in a small town called
Santana, located in the heart of the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil.
His parents lived in a farm, outside the city of Patos de Minas.
In 1958, his parents decided to move to the city of Patos (Minas
Gerais) and take over the administration of a small hotel. Gaspar
was then 7 years old and attended elementary school in this city.
In 1966, Gaspar’s and two of his older sisters set out on a trip to
a larger city (Belo Horizonte) by themselves, in an effort to find a
better way to provide for the family. Gaspar was 13 when he moved to
Belo Horizonte, and worked in several small jobs to help his sisters,
including delivering towels to business’ offices, selling silverware
at a local store and working for a moving company, called Picorelly.
In front of the Picorelly’s building there used to be a Military
Headquarters; that called his attention and he elected to enroll in
the police force. During that time, he studied the English language
at ETIMIG and ICBEU (both through scholarships), learned the Spanish
language by using the radio and completed high-school at Tiradentes
School. He served the Military between 1969 and 1974 as a traffic
officer and official interpreter.
In 1970, Gaspar started working at the Airport as a transit police
officer, speaking English, Portuguese and Spanish. At that point his
brother came to live with him in Belo Horizonte.
Gaspar’s brother was also an artist, and Gaspar developed a new
interest for the Arts. He began studying Art with Wilsom Vicente,
J.G. Oliver and Belchior Cunha. He left the police force in 1974 and
progressed to having his first Art Show with his brother in 1975.
Gaspar’s work caused an impression on The General Consul of the
United States, Mr. Ronald Dartford, who resided in Brazil at that
time. He helped Gaspar come to the United States to study Art, and
Gaspar subsequently enrolled at the Pratt Institute, in New York. It
was there that he met Xavier, Jose Salles, Lidia Nakamura, and the
American Master Clair Romano, a great teacher and well-known Art
writer, who offered valuable guidance to the young artist, Gaspar
Cunha.
The year was still 1975, Gaspar worked selling hot-dogs, making
pizzas and as a security officer during the night, all too
financially support his studies.
His mother died one year later. His loss proved to be so significant
that he left school and went back to Brazil, where he started
working with his brother in 1977. They both traveled throughout the
country with their Art Show.
He then initiated his studies at the Guinard University and opened a
pizza place in Belo Horizonte. His business did not do well, and
Gaspar decided to accept a job offer from a dear friend, Mrs. Linda
Herzt of Grimble Bakery, a famous cheesecake supplier in Manhattan.
While working at the bakery, Gaspar used the bottom of the cakes to
scratch his paintings during his free time.
It was during that time that he met Pelé, the famous soccer player,
who came to the New York to promote soccer in the U.S. Pelé offered
a job to Gaspar and his brother Belchior, offer they both refused,
despite their growing friendship with Pelé.
Gaspar left the bakery at a time that jobs were not too easy to find.
While searching for jobs, Gaspar started working on his paintings.
The market was very competitive, but Gaspar found his buyers were
local restaurants and a small number of collectors.
Gaspar married in 1987 and for the next few years (1987-1989) he
worked in his studio in Astoria and held a part-time job in the
production and restoration of artwork.
His daughter Barbara was born in 1988. He subsequently separated
from his spouse and made the decision to come to Miami in 1989,
following a suggestion from an old friend, Benedito Luizzi, a
successful artist.
Not much happened until 1991; Gaspar was disappointed and missed his
daughter, who was in Brazil. He made the trip to Brazil, hoping to
be able to spend some time with his daughter.
Once in Brazil, he stayed in Patos, Minas Gerais, at a beautiful
house by the country side. The change of pace and scenery changed
his state of mind and he was able to mend his broken heart. That was
when he met Maria, his current wife, in 1994.
The coupled then traveled back to the United States, Gaspar and his
brother purchased a motor home and they embarked on a continental
trip from Miami to the city of Santana de Patos, Brazil. It took
them 53 days to get there. A very special time of filming, drawing
and taking pictures of the American Continent.
In 1996, Gaspar came back to Miami and settled in Boca Raton. He met
Jayson Fittipaldi, also an artist, and they started painting the
isles of South Beach. They subsequently displayed their work at
Zelmar Colto’s Gallery, in Miami. The gallery also displayed works
from other artists, such as: Pedro Lazaro, Benedito, Jaisom and
Albery.
Gaspar’s work was endorsed and encouraged by Francisco Moura (the
pioneer of the Brazilian press in Miami, also owner of the first
Brazilian newspaper in South Florida) and Marcus Candido (art dealer).
Marcus Candido introduced Gaspar to Fernando Collor de Mello, former
President of the Republic of Brazil. Mr. Collor de Mello requested
several paintings to be offered to friends as gifts, including a
particular painting that was presented to the Governor of New Mexico,
Mr. Gary Johnson.
Gaspar then started to sell expensive artwork to people that knew Mr.
Collor de Mello; they started to appreciate Gaspar’s paintings, and
consider it an investment. His name began to be known.
In 1993, the requests for paintings started to come from Europe and
Brazil.
In 2002, he sold a panel painting to a well-known local business man,
and that sale allowed Gaspar to purchase his condo in North Miami,
where he now lives with his wife and 3 kids.
From 1990 to 2000, Gaspar’s work had special characteristics. The
paintings expressed a strong “Latin art influence” in the United
States.
During this period, great painters emerged in the U. S. Among them,
Gaspar and Mr. Britto (pop artist) stood out, gaining recognition.
Both The Daily News and The Art News of New York mentioned Gaspar
Cunha’s work.
His work for the next few years converged into the creation of a new
technique, which Gaspar calls “neon”. The name “neon” translates
into lines of bright color straight from the tube, showing a natural
light on one hand and the artificial light on the other. Gaspar
considers this concept a “divine gift”. This effect is brilliant,
sometimes surrounding everything. Gaspar feels that it portraits our
daily lives well, showing a combination of the hand of God (nature)
and “Artificialism” (humanism).
The subjects of his paintings are pleasant views of waterways and
streets of Miami and Miami Beach, people, and its elements. The
“neon” technique brings something new to the Art world. His
creations will be shown at the Art Expo 2006, in New York City.
Gaspar Cunha is the sole creator of it.
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