ART CITIES:Amsterdam-Cranio
Fabio Oliveira, better known as Cranio, was born in 1982 and grew up in the north of Sao Paulo and it was in 1998 that Fabio began to cover the gray walls with his work. The Blue Indians were born after the attempt to find a character that could show the indigenous people from Brazil.
By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Vroom & Varossieau Archive
With “Amazonian Diet”, his first exhibition in Amsterdam Cranio expresses in a critical fashion the real life of the 21st Century. The Vroom & Varossieau Gallery presents paintings, drawings, and as a première, toys and a two meter high sculpture of his striking blue Indian. Over the years, Cranio’s technique improved and his contexts expanded, but his artistic style remained the same, unique and easily recognizable. His goal has always been to bring art to the whole population, using contemporary language. Since 2008, the Blue Indian was the result of his search for a character that could show the indigenous people from Brazil. With their typical blue and distinctive shape, the indians finds themselves always in funny and curious situations, provoking the observer to think about contemporary issues like consumerism, corrupt politicians and the environment. “My Blue Indian character came from my search of Brazilian characters. We live in a vast city made out of rocks today but believe me, we are all “Indians” in a great forest, hunting the things we need to live every day. The themes in my work reflect the daily work and life of the people who I watch in this huge metropolis of Sao Paulo. The blue colour is the main characteristic of my characters, it relates to the imaginary and parallel world in which they used to live. I’ve been influenced a lot by Os Gemeos’ work but I have created my own character with my own details”. With his unique Brazilian style and through his mystical landscapes he portrays the harmful consequences of today’s consumerism. Cranio shows the impact it has on the Indians in their original environment. Cranio’s work is a mix of street art and fine art, where he depicts his own life, everything he sees, hears, or lives through. There is a lot going on in the world today, a lot of good, but a lot of bad as well. The artist takes great pleasure in criticizing everything he deems wrong.
Info: Vroom & Varossieau, Willemsparkweg 134, Amsterdam, Duration: 28/5-27/6/16, Days & Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-18:00, www.lookforart.nl
