Mauricio Porto (b. 1964, Brazil) has spent over four decades as an artist. Encouraged by his mother, he began painting at 16 under a master artist. He later earned a degree in Marketing and Advertising in Rio de Janeiro, working as a creative director while refining his artistic style. As he puts it:
“While working in advertising agencies, I started drawing inspiration from the industry itself. My paintings began reflecting imagery from magazine covers, ads, movies, the fashion world, and all kinds of media. That’s also when I discovered Pop Art—and completely fell in love with it.”
In the late 1990s, Porto traveled to New York for design classes at Parsons, immersing himself in the city’s dynamic art scene. Influenced by American Pop Art, his vibrant artworks reimagine fashion and media imagery with bold colors and intricate Latin American decorative elements. Blending his Brazilian heritage with the energy of Pop Art, Porto transforms iconic visuals into striking, expressive characters that captivate audiences worldwide.
My paintings are mostly about people—faces, gestures, poses, and expressions. My style is figurative. I like to paint portraits in larger-than-life proportions, sometimes adding elements of nature around them. I choose to paint celebrities who hold meaning for me—whether through their personalities, life lessons, or the legacy they have left behind. I also paint anonymous figures inspired by magazines, music, and all forms of media. Ultimately, the human body and figure remain my greatest passion.
My technique is based on traditional painting, primarily using oil and acrylic on canvas. I develop my style through both mediums—often using acrylic for backgrounds and always oil for the main figure.
Using a bright and vivid palette, I seek to express a message of positivity to the world with elegance and serenity, applying a smooth finish and rich textures.
2024 • Untitled • Westhampton Public Library • Westhampton Beach • New York, USA
2019 • Untitled • Vila Ventura Ecoresort • Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2017 • Happiness • Galeria DaVera • Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2016 • Carmen Miranda The Brazilian Bombshell • Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana • Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2012 • Madonna Like a Painting • Galeria Paulo Capelari • Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2011 • Horses • Expointer • Esteio, RS, Brazil
2010 • What The Eyes Can See • Espaço Cultural TRT • Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2009 • Pop Art • Galeria Paulo Capellari • Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2005 • Summertime • Garagem de Arte Galeria • Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2001 • Faith – Unimed Salão – Varginha, MG, Brazil
2000 • Odd Repetitions • Arte & Fato Galeria • Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2000 • Brazil 500 Years of Colors • Galeria Central • Elói Mendes, MG, Brazil
1999 • Untitled • Caffé del’Artista • New York, NY, USA
1996 • Untitled • Foyer Teatro Capitólio • Varginha, MG, Brazil
2024 • ArtExpoNewYork – NY, USA
2024 • Art Capital – Salón des Independánts, Paris, FR
2021 • ArtExpoNewYork, New York, NY, USA – Virtual Exhibition
2018-19 • Elite Design Show, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2025 • Evolving Expressions • Sfumato Art Gallery – Online Exhibition
2024 • Beyond the Colors • Sfumato Art Gallery – Online Exhibition
2022 • Chelsea Metaverse Masters • Amsterdam Whitney Gallery • New York, NY, USA
2004 • Summer Salon • Ward-Nasse Gallery • New York, NY, USA
2003-4 • Untitled • Barbara-Ann Levy • Fire Island, NY, USA
2001 • Connections To The Real • Agora Gallery / Soho • New York, NY, USA
1999 • Summer Salon • Ward-Nasse Gallery • New York, NY, USA
1998 • Artists from Minas – Assembléia Legislativa de Minas Gerais • Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
1986 • Art Students of Maria Augusta Procópio • Elói Mendes, Brazil
