November 16 2017 - January 07 2018
Vroom & Varossieau Gallery Amsterdam
Vroom &Varossieau is proud and excited to announce “Dreams of Heroes” a solo show by the Brazilian artist Cranio. Bringing his Blue Amazonians to Amsterdam, we hope the colorful show will brighten up the grey Dutch winter and put a smile on everyone's face, as well as shed some light on the problems that the indigenous people of Brazil face in the modern world. The exhibition runs from the 16th of November 2017 until the 7th of January 2018.
Dreams of Heroes
For this exhibition Cranio draws his inspiration from the playful world of superhero cartoons from the 80’s and 90’s. As a kid Cranio loved these superheroes and his childhood was full of colorful characters from films, comic books and tv-shows. In “Dreams of Heroes” at Vroom &Varossieau Cranio presents a new body of work that incorporates these superheroes into his Amazonian fantasy world. Of course the real hero of the story will be Cranio’s well known and much loved Blue Indians, by letting the Blue Indian interact with the superhero realm in day to day situations. Cranio gives life to the fantasy world of the everyday person. With subtle observational humor and an eye for detail, the artist questions the boundaries of reality and fantasy, creating a new world where anything is possible and everyone can be the hero.
About the artist
Fabio deOliveira Parnaiba, better known as Cranio, is a Brazilian artist who began his artistic journey in the streets of Sao Paolo. It was in 1998, that Cranio decided the grey walls in ‘his’ Sao Paolo needed a boost. Since then he has been doing the same for other cities all over the world. Cranio gets his inspiration from life, the streets, cartoons and the famous surrealist Salvador Dali. His Blue Indian characters have become his trademark, their creation all started with his desire to show the indigenous people from Brazil and all the troubles they’re facing in the unforgiving contemporary world. Reimagining the stereotypical image of Amazonian people, Cranio’s protagonists wear Nike sneakers, have smartphones and eat fast food. The contrast between the spiritual Blue Indians and their new world environment raise questions and it allows us to think about ourselves and the society we live in. Known for his colorful, humorous works that are full of life and detail, Cranio is an artist whose work is never boring and always makes you think. As his career develops Cranio is making more works on canvas and is always looking for ways to push himself. Using intricate techniques, he is able to manipulate spray paint like no other. Creating layers and delicate lines while playing with textures, colors and contrast.
Spending his summer traveling Europe and painting murals in Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin. As well as showcasing his work at the Urban Art Fair in Paris and the Urban Art Biennale in Völkingen and having his work displayed as part the collection in the newly opened Urban Nation Museum in Berlin, Cranio has had a very busy summer. Now Vroom &Varossieau gallery will present new works that will be showed to the public for the first time in his solo exhibition “Dreams of Heroes”.