José Bento

Born in Salvador, Bahia, in 1962, José Bento Franco Chaves is a self-taught sculptor who moved to Belo Horizonte in 1966. From 1981 to 1988, José Bento dedicated himself to creating miniatures using popsicle sticks, a phase marked by meticulousness and innovation. His works were first exhibited in 1989 at the Palácio das Artes in Belo Horizonte, where he also displayed handmade wooden and glass boxes with internal designs made with mercury. During this time, he began exploring sculptures made from fallen logs, selected primarily from the Atlantic Forest between Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo.

Between 1990 and 1991, José Bento developed the "Roda" series, moving away from miniatures and exploring new artistic forms that led him to participate in various group exhibitions and to win the Brasília Prize for Plastic Arts at the 12th National Salon of Plastic Arts. In 1993, he had a solo exhibition at Casa Guignard in Ouro Preto.

Since 2000, José Bento has expanded his techniques to include materials such as glass, mirror, and granite. In 2004, his sculptures were featured at the Pampulha Art Museum in Belo Horizonte, solidifying his reputation as an innovator in the field of Brazilian sculpture.

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Photo: http://www.galeriafirenze.com.br/?pg2=artista&id=81
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