Os Gêmeos

Deitch Projects, New York

Private Collection

Christie's New York, 4 March 2016, Lot 201

Acquired at the above sale by the present owner

New York, Jeffrey Deitch Gallery, Too Far Too Close, 2008

“The characters and atmospheres which we create in our paintings are, on one hand, related to people which move about our world and, on the other hand, the world of fantasy. Throughout the years, our painting has led us to search for our roots, the culture which we came from, that which we live in, and that which surrounds us." — Os Gemeos

Os Gemeos, which can be translated as “The Twins” from Portuguese, is a collaborative artistic duo from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The identical twins, Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo, started out as graffiti artists in the 1980s and are now producing works in mediums ranging from murals, paintings, sculptures, videos, to collaborative projects with other artists such as JR, Pharrell Williams and Banksy. Through surrealistic imagery and their iconic yellow human-like figures, the two artists create works that invite viewers to enter their private fantastical world.

The Little Prince seems to refer directly to Saint-Exupéry’s famous novella, representing a revisited multi-media illustration of the narrative. The vivid primary colors of the work and its shimmering feature create a fantastical and joyful atmosphere inspired by Brazilian contemporary and folkloric culture, hip-hop style, and graffiti painting. Through this vibrant work and their unique artistic style, the twins are sharing their dreamlike vision to the world they inhabit.