Ivan Serpa

Ivan Ferreira Serpa (Rio de Janeiro, 1923 - 1973) was a prominent Brazilian painter, engraver, draftsman, and teacher. Educated in painting, engraving, and drawing under the guidance of Axl Leskoschek between 1946 and 1948 in Rio de Janeiro, Serpa began teaching at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro (MAM/RJ) in 1949, noted for his dedication to teaching art to children starting in 1952. He published the book "Growth and Creation" in 1954, with text by Mário Pedrosa, exploring his educational experiences.

In the same year, Serpa, along with Ferreira Gullar and Mário Pedrosa, founded the Grupo Frente, which included artists such as Lygia Clark, Hélio Oiticica, and Lygia Pape, playing a key role until the group dissolved in 1956. This group was notable for its freedom of aesthetic expression, though it was dominated by concrete artists. In 1957, Serpa was awarded a travel prize at the National Salon of Modern Art (SNAM) and participated in the Opinião 65 exhibition, marking the emergence of neofiguration.

His work varies between figuration and concrete art, reflecting a fluctuation that remained throughout his career. In 1970, he founded the Art Research Center in Rio de Janeiro with Bruno Tausz, significantly contributing to Brazilian artistic development.

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Photo: http://www.pinturabrasileira.com/artistas_bio.asp?cod=171&in=1
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