Jozza Biography
One of the most exciting Pop Artists in the world today, Jozza creates his artistic vision with vibrant imagery and combinations of bright color and hard-edged abstract subjects. Painting a wide repertoire of subjects from flowers and still-life to figurative pieces and cityscapes, his paintings are inspired by the simple streets of Brazil to the elegant cities of the United States; cities full of rhythm, nightclubs, subways, restaurants and still-life where urban life subjects are the heartbeat and soul of society. Inspired by Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana, Romero Britto and Peter Max, Jozza’s colorful, shimmering, animated subjects have been captured in over 1,000 works around the world to date. Jozza’s work is included in numerous public and private collections in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Germany.
Born in 1958 in Hidrolandia, a small town located in central Brazil, Jozza comes from an artistic family. His mother was an art teacher and instilled a passion for art in Jozza since he was a young child. He grew up helping his father with his lumber storage; it was there that his creative spirit was born when he started to create wooden sculptures. Married at a young age, it was very difficult to go to art school due to the economic responsibility of supporting a family.
A man of many talents, Jozza was eventually able to study law in Brazil and was also a skilled soccer player. He played for Atletico, one of the best state soccer teams. His soccer talent afforded him the opportunity to move to the United States in 1986 when he was invited to play for a professional team in San Francisco, CA. He lived there playing soccer and working for 4 years, also opening his own restaurant in 1988.
In 1990, Jozza returned to Brazil for 4 years, with art on his mind and his creative side stirring. He created some works on canvas, utilizing only his passion, raw talent and inspiration from within.
In 1996, Jozza relocated to Miami, FL with his wife, Tatiana, and 2-year old daughter, Jordanna, to pursue a career in art. Like many emerging artists before him, this was a time of great hardship. Jozza worked in the hospitality industry to survive, all the while working on improving his painting technique and structure.
In the year 2000, Jozza had his first exhibition at Biscayne Tower I in downtown Miami, and soon after, started to exhibit his artwork at different galleries, including Gallery Art in Aventura FL, Art Connection on Las Olas Blvd and Disney Cruise Line. Today, Jozza is represented in galleries across the USA, Spain, Germany, Brazil and Argentina.
Definition of style and artistic evolution is an ongoing process, but already Jozza has achieved so much in a very short time. Jozza has held successful exhibitions at the New York ArtExpo, one of the biggest art shows in the world, over the past ten years. In 2007, his collection was completely sold out. Jozza’s work has been featured in the Hollywood movie, Transporter II, directed by Louis Leterrier starring Jason Statham. In 2009, Jozza was given the rare distinction of being able to create original and limited edition fine art of the Disney characters, an honour bestowed on Peter Max before him. Jozza’s original paintings of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto and other characters sell out instantly. More recently, he has expanded his creative offerings to include fine art painted doors, sculpture and other creative media commissions.
Appreciative of his good fortune in life, Jozza is always looking for ways to contribute to society. He supports Project H.O.P.E, the Criança Esperança Foundation in Brazil, the Lar Maria de Nazare Orphanage in Brazil and the Miami Dade County Schools Art Education Project. Read more here.
As a modern day Renaissance man and one of the fastest rising art talents today, we eagerly await Jozza’s next creative offerings!
“God with a simple touch created the universe, full of beauty, life and colors. He created mankind and through the lines, colors and circles of life go on searching for better days.”
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2010
Gallery Elysees – New York, USA
Gallery Elysees – Paris, France
2009
Gallery Art - Aventura, FL, USA
New York International ArtExpo - New York, NY, USA
2008
New York International ArtExpo - New York, NY, USA
Miami Beach Home Show - Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA
Weston Art Institute - Weston, FL, USA
2007
Galerie Koestler - Munich, Germany
Otto Galerie – Munich, Germany
Klaus Dieter Laufer Galerie – Munchen, Germany
2006
Miami Beach Home Show - Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA
Gallery Art - Aventura, FL, USA
New York International ArtExpo - New York, NY, USA
2005
Miami Beach Home Show - Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA
Gallery Art - Aventura, FL, USA
New York International ArtExpo - New York, NY, USA
2004
Palm Beach Home Show - Palm Beach, FL, USA
2003
New York International ArtExpo - New York, NY, USA
Thaise Gallery - Saragossa, Spain
Gallery Art - Aventura, FL, USA
2002
Coconut Grove Home Show - Convention Center, Coconut Grove, FL, USA
Gallery Art - Aventura, FL, USA
2000
New York International ArtExpo - New York, NY, USA
1999
DeLux Gallery - Bay Harbor, FL, USA
Miss Brazil USA 1999, Radisson International Hotel - Miami, FL, USA
Biscayne Tower I - Miami, FL, USA