São Paulo – Brazilian artist Thiago Toes arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in late August to produce an artwork. He is working on a painting for the house of a Brazilian collector in the city, at the latter’s request. “He wanted an artwork, but he did not want to just purchase it; he wanted to get a feeling for my work, and he wanted to get to know me. So he invited me to come to Dubai and create the painting in his house,” Toes, from Dubai, told ANBA by email. The artist should remain in the emirate until September 27th to complete his work.
Toes has already made some sketches for the canvas, and wants to use acrylic paint. The collector had already seen his work and was following his career for a while. Toes does not want to reveal the name of the collector, but says he is a well-connected person in Dubai and that this piece may open other doors in the region. “I am in talks to create more artwork here or in neighbouring countries,” he said.
The painter says he did not have time to visit art galleries in Dubai yet, but has heard good things about the local art market. “They value artwork,” he says. The painter may even extend his stay in the emirate, depending on the progress of his piece or on whether other opportunities come up.
Thiago Toes is 28 years old. He was born in Curitiba, in Paraná, but was raised in the city of São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo. The artist’s work is contemporary, influenced by several art movements, such as concrete art and surrealism. The underlying theme, according to Toes, is the universe’s energy in human life and his own dreams. He owns a studio in Santo André, São Paulo, and also has pieces in the gallery OMA Galeria, in São Bernardo. The gallery sells the artist’s artworks and sponsors his career.
The artist has already featured in eight collective and two solo exhibitions. His first solo show, titled Celeste, was held at OMA Galeria, last year. Toes points out that this exhibit has brought him acclaim. Abroad, he took part in the project Wynwood Walls, in Miami, United States, 2009, and in A Major Minority – An Intercontinental Survey of Othercontemporary Urban Art, at 1AM Gallery, in São Francisco, also in the US, last April.
Toes is the son of an ad designer and claims his father played a role in getting him interested in drawing. “One of my [favourite] things to do as a child was drawing,” he says. The need to express himself through paintings and drawings has always been part of his life. “But I resisted the urge to create and enter the art world,” says the artist. Nearly five years ago, however, he started working as an assistant to artist Nina Pandolfo and was encouraged by her and other friends to create his own pieces. “And now, here I am in Dubai, painting,” he says.
Contact
Thiago Toes
Website: http://www.thiagotoes.com/ (partially in English)
Email: thiagotoes@gmail.com
*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
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