Carlos Vergara

Carlos Augusto Caminha Vergara dos Santos (Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, 1941) is a Brazilian artist renowned for his versatile production that includes engraving, photography, and painting. Initially dedicated to jewelry craftsmanship in Rio de Janeiro during the 1950s, Vergara exhibited his pieces at the 7th São Paulo International Biennial in 1963. In the same year, he began his studies in drawing and painting with Iberê Camargo (1914-1994).

Vergara stood out in the exhibitions Opinion 65 and 66 at the Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro (MAM/RJ) and was one of the organizers of the Nova Objetividade Brasileira exhibition in 1967, marking a significant moment for the Brazilian avant-garde. Besides being a painter, he worked as a set and costume designer for theatrical productions, and his paintings from this period show influences from expressionism and pop art.

During the 1970s, he used photography and Super-8 films as ways to explore reflections on Brazilian reality, with a particular interest in the carnival. He also collaborated with architects in creating panels for buildings, using materials and techniques from popular craftsmanship.

In 1972, he published the drawing notebook "Texto em Branco," and in the 1980s, Vergara returned to painting with a series of abstract geometric works, exploring diamond patterns that define chromatic fields. Since the late 1980s, the artist has been using natural pigments and minerals in his creations, employing diverse surfaces.

The series "Monotipias do Pantanal," made in 1997, reflects his immersion in nature, where he directly captures textures from natural elements such as stones and leaves, creating works that evoke a deep connection with the natural environment.

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Photo: http://www.sescrio.org.br/noticia/21/05/15/sesc-exibe-mostra-de-carlos-vergara