Flávio Cerqueira

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years active

2008

Genres

contemporary art, sculpture

Biography

Flávio Cerqueira is a contemporary Brazilian sculptor born in São Paulo in 1983. He is renowned for his figurative bronze sculptures that explore themes of identity, race, class, and gender. Cerqueira's artistic journey began autodidactically, initially working with epoxy putty before being profoundly influenced by Auguste Rodin's work at the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo in 2001. This encounter with Rodin's sculptures solidified his passion for bronze casting, a traditional technique he masterfully employs.

Cerqueira's oeuvre often features human figures engaged in everyday actions, capturing fleeting moments of introspection, concentration, and interaction. He masterfully integrates elements from the urban landscape and daily life—such as mirrors, books, traffic signs, and graffiti—into his bronze compositions. This juxtaposition creates a compelling tension, blurring the lines between sculpture, architecture, and the viewer's perception. His work invites active participation, where the spectator becomes a co-author in constructing the meaning of each piece.

His artistic practice is deeply rooted in a critical engagement with Brazilian history and social dynamics, particularly addressing the "exiled memories" of marginalized communities. Cerqueira's sculptures, while seemingly static, possess a dynamic quality that provokes reflection and dialogue. He has exhibited extensively in Brazil and internationally, with his works held in prominent collections such as the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP), Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo, and the Museu Afro Brasil. His artistic vision, as noted by Lilia Schwarcz, offers a decolonial perspective, reshaping the narratives within art history.