Claudio Tozzi
Bio
Claudio Tozzi joined the University of São Paulo’s Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism (FAU) in 1964, yet never practiced architecture, working as a graphic artist instead. In his works Tozzi addressed current political issues reported widely in the media including the space race and the Cuban revolution. Among his most iconic works are representations of astronauts and Che Guevara. Since the mid-1960s, crowds and political icons are among Tozzi’s recurrent subjects.
Statement
The source of the language used in my work, appropriated from the mass media and the urban signals, created a visual similarity with international pop art. My work focused on the social and historical conditions we were going through in our country [Brazil] and my themes referred to our major concerns at the time. I was aware of the huge difference between the works of American artists, who were engaged in stressing the consumerism in their milieu and with the glamorization of their images and goods.
2.5 x 4m / 98.4 x 157 in