The Universe of Images and Words: An Exploration of José Brito’s Art and Philosophy
José de Brito’s Vision on Contemporary Communication
José de Brito perceives the spectacle of
contemporary communication as a chaotic blend of images and words. From this
chaos, he organizes his paintings, creating a relationship of tension between
the dark matter and the luminous fragments of color and words. The black spots
in his work represent the savagery and freedom, breaking away from preconceived
ideas and cultural conditioning. His work stands as a complete conquest of
style, connecting the social and the imaginary.
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His painting
explores communication between different layers of the psyche, connecting the
conscious with the unconscious, life with death, spirit with matter. Brito’s
work offers fragments of a dreamed reality that emerge into consciousness,
reflecting the powerful and maternal night from which all creativity and
transformation spring. These works embody the echoes of a world that is both
ancient and new, full of restless, unspoken words, and the aggressive longings
that strive for expression.
Maria Zambrano and the Spiritual Content of Life
Brito’s
paintings mirror the thoughts of Maria Zambrano, who described life’s spiritual
content as sensitive and fleeting, not representative. Zambrano believed it is
an intimacy with all life, not just human life. This sensitivity aligns with
Brito’s use of the night as the cradle of unspoken words and desires. The
painting embodies a place of creation, aggression, and the longing for light,
poised between life and its original, primal state.
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José Brito, técnica mista sobre tela, 65 x 81 cm, 2015
Artistic and Philosophical Reflections
Brito’s
paintings explore paradoxes and contradictions—fragments and ruins that offer
glimpses into a lost unity. This disunity and fragmentation are what make his
art resonate deeply, offering a timeless and intimate harmony. His work creates
a bridge between the material world and the spiritual, using the canvas as a
receptacle for a living chaos that reflects the complexity of contemporary
existence.
A Personal Artistic Approach
Brito uses
newspaper pages and collage techniques, reworking the printed word to represent
and reinterpret contemporary society. Through the manipulation of these
newspapers—often Portuguese—he transforms them into a new narrative,
constructing a visual language of illegible signs that mirror the reality of
the world. These pages evoke both personal memories and larger cultural
narratives, inviting viewers into a dialogue about the power of the press, media,
and historical context. Brito’s work questions the meaning of visual messages
and explores the significance of collage as a form of active, dynamic
expression.
Development and Theoretical Foundations
Brito began
experimenting with collage techniques in 1987, focusing on the use of printed
materials and photographs. Over time, this research has developed into a deeper
understanding of how images, once manipulated, can create new surfaces of
meaning. His artistic journey continues to probe the impact of electronic media
on image manipulation, allowing for an exploration of both traditional and
contemporary art forms. His work aims to combine the tactile with the digital,
linking physical textures with modern media to express evolving narratives.
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Artistic Methodology
Brito’s
general objective is to solidify and deepen his research on the process of
collage, examining its place within the broader history of art. He aims to
understand the visual language produced through the manipulation of printed
material, particularly in modern and contemporary art. His studies involve
exploring the work of renowned artists who have contributed to the development
of collage, such as Picasso, Braque, Rauschenberg, and Warhol.
Biography
José Brito
was born on September 6, 1958, in Lobão da Beira, Tondela. He studied at the
António Arroio Decorative Arts School in Lisbon, where he completed his
technical fire arts course. He went on to earn a degree in Painting/Fine Arts
from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Lisbon, followed by a
Master’s degree in Art History from Lusíada University.
José Brito, recorte de mim, 60 x 70 cm, 2010
Exhibitions
Brito’s work
has been showcased in numerous galleries and exhibitions worldwide. These
include venues in Portugal, Italy, Brazil, Spain, and Germany. Some of his
notable exhibitions include:
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1994: Sociedade
Nacional de Belas Artes, Lisbon
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2001: Cândido
Portinari Gallery, Rome, Italy
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2003: Enes
Gallery, Lisbon
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2005: Galleria
Spazio Surreale, Rome, Italy
·
2013: Laissez
Faire, Porto
·
2018: Von
Zeidler Art Gallery, Berlin, Germany
·
2020: Cherkasy
Regional Art Museum, Ukraine
·
2023: First
Autumn Festival of Culture and the Arts, Vienna, Austria
·
2024: Encontros
Ibéricos, Biblioteca de Alcântara, Lisbon
Brito continues to exhibit internationally, exploring the intersections of art,
culture, and history in his works.
The Art of Fragmented Wholeness
José Brito’s
work blends the chaotic and fragmented nature of modern communication with the
transformative power of art. His use of collage, appropriation of newspaper
pages, and exploration of the relationship between the material and the
spiritual offer a unique view of contemporary society. Brito’s paintings and
artworks challenge the viewer to reconsider the ways in which we interpret
images, texts, and the world around us. Through his innovative and
introspective approach, Brito’s art continues to resonate and evolve, offering
profound insights into the human condition.
José Brito
http://josebritosantos.blogspot.com/
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