Love You, Copyright Romero Britto 2017

(STONE HARBOR, NJ) -- Ocean Galleries welcomes world-renowned pop artist, Romero Britto, for his first ever exhibition in Stone Harbor, NJ.  “Romero Britto – Brilliant World of Color” will include an impressive collection of artwork and sculptures on display at Ocean Galleries beginning Friday, August 4 through Tuesday, August 8, 2017.

With an iconic style that the New York Times described as "... exudes warmth, optimism and love," Romero Britto is an internationally-renowned artist who uses vibrant, bold and colorful patterns to reflect his optimistic view of the world around him.  His playful themes and hard-edged compositions, combined with his unique talent, unshakable resolve, and belief in his art, have granted him worldwide recognition, with exhibitions in galleries and museums in over 100 countries.  The artist’s pop sensibility has leant itself to collaborations with global brands such as Audi, Bentley, Coca‐Cola, Walt Disney, Evian, Hublot, and Mattel, to name a few. Britto’s work evokes happiness and hope using a visual language all its own and is, simply, relatable to all.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet the enthusiastic and optimistic Romero Britto at specially gallery receptions taking place 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Saturday, August 5 and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, August 6.

From the Island, Copyright Romero Britto 2017

Romero Britto was born in Recife, Brazil in 1963. Self-taught at an early age, he painted on scraps of cardboard or any medium he could find before coming into his own and traveling to Paris where he was introduced to the work of Matisse and Picasso. His appreciation of the Masters and combined influences of cubism with pop, helped to create his vibrant, iconic style.

In 1988, Britto moved to Miami and emerged as an international artist. In the following year, he was selected alongside Andy Warhol and Keith Haring for Absolut Vodka’s “Absolut Art” campaign and quickly began enjoying commercial success, collaborating with many well-known corporations and bringing his signature style to their products.

Britto’s artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, including the Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux Arts exhibition at the Carrousel du Louvre in 2008 and 2010. In 2013, Maria Elena and Carlos Slim Domit invited Romero to be the first living artist to exhibit at Museo Soumaya in Mexico City.  He has created public art installations for the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin (formerly O2 World), New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, Cirque Du Soleil at Super Bowl XLI, and has been credited with the largest monumental sculpture in Hyde Park’s (London) history. Britto served as an official artist for the 2010 World Cup, ambassador to the 2014 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup Brazil, and was invited to be an honorary torch bearer for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Urban Look, Copyright Romero Britto 2017

Britto considers the role of an artist to be an agent of positive change. He serves as a benefactor, donating time, art, and resources to over 250 charitable organizations, and sits on several boards, such as Best Buddies International and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. He was recently named a founding inaugural benefactor of Harvard’s “International Negotiation Program," by Dr. Daniel Shapiro, in his quest for peaceful conflict resolution. 

“I believe that every human being has the power to do good for someone else,” Britto explains. “Everything is based on education. With knowledge and education, you can understand the world.”

The “Romero Britto – Brilliant World of Color” exhibit will be at Ocean Galleries (9618 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, NJ/609.368.7777) from Friday, August 4 through Tuesday, August 8, 2017 and will include a new collection of artwork and sculptures. Romero Britto will be on hand to dedicate and sign purchased artwork from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Saturday, August 5 and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, August 6.

Puppy Love, Copyright Romero Britto 2017