1965, Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil. Lives and works in Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil
Material and its structure, as well as forms of connection, fixation and support, are the concepts that Afonso Tostes finds most interesting. And in the 2000s the artist began an investigation that now guides his work: tridimensionality and its representation in space. This research springs from a consistent evolution since the outset of his career, which has included the study of organic structural forms in drawing and in painting. Known for his large installations, Tostes recovers the previous histories of materials, mainly wood, revealing and transforming their narratives, according to a sensitive reconstruction of the exhibition space, or even through the resignification of preexisting smaller objects such as work tools and utensils.
Afonso Tostes studied arts at Escola Guignard (1980, Belo Horizonte/ MG) and, later, at the Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage (1989 to 1994, Rio de Janeiro). The venues of his main solo shows have included Sesc Pompeia (2019, São Paulo/SP), Casa França Brasil (2013, Rio de Janeiro/RJ), Museu de Arte Moderna – MAM/RJ (2011, Rio de Janeiro/RJ), Museu de Arte Contemporânea – MAC Niterói (2009, Rio de Janeiro/RJ), Centro Cultural Maria Antônia (2003, São Paulo/SP) and Centro Cultural São Paulo – CCSP (1996, São Paulo/SP). He has participated in group shows at Museu de Arte do Rio – MAR (2020, Rio de Janeiro/RJ), Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain (2019, Paris, France), National Art Museum of China (2018, Beijing, China), Frestas Trienal Sesc (2014, Sorocaba/SP), Instituto Tomie Ohtake (2010, São Paulo/SP) and the 5th Bienal do Mercosul (2005, Porto Alegre/RS). His work figures in important collections such as those of MAM-RJ (Brazil), MAM-BA (Brazil), MAC Niterói (Brazil), Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain (France) and Coleção SESC de Arte (Brazil).