Ivan Moraes

Ivan Moraes held a degree in Social Work and had been engaged in painting since his childhood. He furthered his studies at the Municipal Institute of Fine Arts under the guidance of Ivan Serpa, a renowned master and talent revealer. He exhibited his works at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, a place that greatly encouraged spontaneous painting. In 1960, he held his first solo exhibition at this museum. In the following years, he participated in the "Bienale des Jeunes Artistes" in Paris (1961), the São Paulo Biennial (1963), and the "Brazilian Art" exhibition in New York (1966). Ivan held solo exhibitions at places like the Copacabana Palace Gallery (1967-1970), Ipanema Gallery (1971-1972), Marte-21 Gallery (1975), Dezon Gallery (1977, 1980), and Jean-Jacques Gallery (1982), all in Rio de Janeiro. His works often explore themes from Afro-Brazilian religious cults of Bahia and the Baianas in their white lace dresses, captured with rich detail. Walmir Ayala, in his "Dictionary of Brazilian Painters" (1997), highlighted that Ivan blends the joy of color with a mysterious scenography, where characters immerse themselves in the luxury of tropical nature, wearing festive attire and expressing happiness.