Ferjo

(Brazilian, b. 1946) 

“I always love to paint everything; I think artists should have an open mind, so everything I see in front of me, I paint…”
— Ferjo

Inspired by contemporary and classical art, he has a worldwide reputation for his dynamic, dreamscape compositions. Exploring both Realism and Surrealism, his work frequently alludes to legendary artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Rene Magritte, and others. His popular Surrealist paintings of fantastical and intricate interior spaces often feature homages to his artistic inspirations hanging on the walls. He is a master painter with his own style, a style that soothes the heart with its beauty while surprising the viewer’s perception with its wonder.

Ferjo was born Fernando de Jesus Oliveira in Brazil in 1946. He realized his artistic talent when a teacher noticed he had an eye for portraits and landscapes. Years later, he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where he focused on Cubism-influenced landscapes. He additionally experimented with portraiture and realism, proving his versatility as a fine art painter. He so impressed his professors and the art department chairman that he was awarded a special fellowship to study in Europe, and was sent to many of Europe’s great cities to tour their museums and study the European masters. Upon graduation, he received the prestigious Cresson Scholarship at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the New York council for the Arts Award for Excellence in portraiture, and subsequently several galleries internationally featured his work. Soon his paintings were displayed in galleries all over the United States and Canada. A string of sold-out one-man shows followed, and Ferjo never looked back.

Many of his paintings are set within an abandoned interior, often with a large window through which stunning elements of the natural world are visible. He has also depicted subjects ranging from cars, animals, and wildlife, to turn-of-the-century settings and vintage items. Throughout an ongoing series, Ferjo has painted at least 136 Mona Lisas in many styles and situations - for example, depicting the Italian beauty sporting a swimsuit or traditional Brazilian garb. Some of them are in museums in Germany, Brazil, and the United States. Two books have been published cataloguing his work, and his paintings and prints hang in the homes of innumerable collectors.

Ferjo is one of the most dynamic and intriguing artists on the contemporary American scene. He joins the plain with the fantastic, the everyday with the extraordinary. A fusion of Surrealism and Magic Realism with Cubist influences and historical references to the great masters, Ferjo’s work fascinates, captivates, and charms. He creates not just paintings, but dreamlike domains to discover.

American Fine Art, Inc. is proud to feature the original works and limited editions of Ferjo. Visit our 12,000 sq. ft. showroom in Scottsdale, Arizona or call today. Our website is offered only as a limited place to browse or refresh your memory and is not a reflection of our current inventory. To learn more about collecting, pricing, value, or any other art information, please contact one of our International Art Consultants. We look forward to giving you the one on one attention you deserve when building your fine art collection. We hope you find our website helpful and look forward to seeing you in Scottsdale soon.