Beatriz Milhazes

Beatriz Milhazes is a contemporary Brazilian painter known for her vibrant, colorful, and intricate compositions that blend elements of Brazilian culture with references to modernist painting and European abstraction. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1960, Milhazes studied social communication at Faculdades Integradas Hélio Alonso (FACHA) and later attended the School of Visual Arts of Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro. Her work is characterized by the use of geometric patterns, floral motifs, and bold colors, often incorporating materials such as gold leaf, glitter, and metallic paints to create textured surfaces.

Milhazes' paintings are influenced by a range of art movements, including Brazilian Baroque, Tropicália, and Concrete Art, as well as the work of artists such as Tarsila do Amaral, Piet Mondrian, and Henri Matisse. Her process often involves the use of a transfer technique, where she paints on a plastic sheet and then adheres the painted elements onto the canvas, resulting in a layered, collage-like effect.

Throughout her career, Milhazes has exhibited widely in international venues, including solo exhibitions at the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain in Paris, the PAC Milan in Italy, and the Jewish Museum in New York. Her work is held in the collections of major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Reina Sofia National Museum in Madrid, and the São Paulo Museum of Art. In 2003, Milhazes represented Brazil at the Venice Biennale, further solidifying her position as a significant figure in contemporary art.