Biography

Laerte Vargas Figueiredo

The Artist - LaerteV

LaerteV grew up in the somber environment of Campo dos Afonsos, a military base in Rio, where authority loomed large and joy felt absent. Despite this, his creative spirit thrived. In a chaotic household of eight siblings, he became a gentle guardian, supporting his family while his father struggled with alcoholism and his mother fought to keep them together. LaerteV's nurturing nature blossomed early, shaping his future as a father.

Finding Beauty in the Shadows

LaerteV’s artistic journey began in the unlikely setting of Campo dos Afonsos, a military base in Rio de Janeiro. Surrounded by the rigid order of the base, where aircraft loomed overhead and the weight of authority was ever-present, joy seemed distant. Yet, even in this structured and disciplined world, LaerteV’s creative spirit thrived. While others saw uniformity, he saw beauty, finding inspiration in places that felt emotionally restrained.

Growing up in a household with eight siblings, LaerteV naturally took on the role of a gentle protector. With a father battling addiction and a mother fighting to keep the family together, he became a source of comfort and care. This nurturing spirit, which blossomed in his early years, later became a guiding force in his art and his own experience as a father. Through his work, LaerteV channels both the tenderness and resilience that shaped his life, transforming these emotions into evocative pieces of art.

Art as Rebellion and Sanctuary

In the unforgiving halls of a military school, where discipline ruled with precision, LaerteV discovered that his sensitivity was both his armor and his weapon. The harsh realities of military life, combined with the turmoil at home, only deepened his drive to create. Art became not just a passion, but a lifeline—a way to resist the rigid expectations and violence that surrounded him.

At 14, feeling stifled by the world’s confines, LaerteV left school, seeking freedom in the form of artistic expression. By 15, he was already turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, painting vibrant rock and roll imagery on everyday clothing. His creations became more than just art—they were bold rejections of the grayness imposed by the world around him. In the shadows of local nightclubs, his work began to catch the eye, marking the start of a journey where art was both his sanctuary and his rebellion.

From Quiet Rebellion to Artistic Freedom

By the age of 19, LaerteV had created a life that defied the machismo ingrained in his culture. Moving from the confines of the military base to a nearby town, he became the heart of a new family—raising both his biological children and four adopted ones with love and care. His life was a quiet, yet powerful rebellion, dedicated to nurturing and fatherhood.

Amidst the strict controls of the regime, LaerteV sold his art in secret, offering his pieces in tourist areas and flea markets. But as Brazil began to break free from dictatorship in the mid-1980s, LaerteV’s work found more room to breathe. The newfound artistic freedom allowed him to delve into abstract and innovative forms of expression, earning him broader recognition.

By the early 1990s, when street fairs and flea markets became legalized, LaerteV was able to publicly exhibit his art for the first time. At 25, he won a prestigious painting contest, which led to his first major exhibition—ironically held at the military base that had once symbolized restriction in his life. Soon after, his art caught the eye of Brazil's decorative arts scene, becoming highly sought after by luxury designers and collectors alike.

A Legacy of Creative Triumph

LaerteV's work has been celebrated in some of Rio de Janeiro's most prestigious venues, from the lush beauty of the Botanical Garden to the renowned Calouste Gulbenkian Arts Center. His mastery of color and form became a symbol of Rio’s vibrant spirit, capturing the essence of the city in a way only a true native could. In 2023, LaerteV’s art crossed international borders, making its debut at the High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina, followed by exhibitions in Las Vegas and New York City, where his work captivated new audiences.

Though LaerteV passed away in 2023, his artistic journey—from a childhood shaped by adversity to his rise as a leading figure in contemporary Brazilian art—stands as a testament to resilience and the transformative power of creativity. His legacy lives on, reminding us of art’s ability to transcend personal and societal barriers, and celebrating the enduring triumph of the human spirit.