Romero Britto: Father of Absolut Art

Romero Britto is a Miami Beach-based, internationally-known pop artist whose work is acclaimed for its use of vivid colors and elements of pop art, cubism and graffiti painting. Born in Recife, Brazil, on Oct. 6, 1963, the South Florida artist has been a fixture on the arts scene since 1989. That year, he was commissioned by Absolut Vodka, along with Keith Haring and Andy Warhol, to design a commemorative bottle label for the company. Named the state of Florida's Ambassador of the Arts, Britto's work is represented in more than 100 galleries on five continents. Corporations worldwide commission him to create large-scale murals, sculptures and product logos. His "Welcome," the world's largest aluminum sculpture, in 2004 was erected at the Metrorail station in Dadeland, near South Miami. In 2007, his work inspired the props and costumes used at Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. His portrait subjects include Gloria Estefan, Roger Federer, Dustin Hoffman and Michael Jordan. Collectors of his work include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Andre Agassi, U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy and Sir Elton John. As creative director of the 2007 London Pyramid Project, Britto designed and hand-painted a 45-foot pyramid erected at Hyde Park as a tribute to the Pyramids of Giza; the last remaining of the ancient seven wonders of the world. One of his most popular images is the official logo of Anthony Shriver's, Best Buddies International Organization. In 2007, he established the Britto Foundation to assist charitable organizations benefiting children.