Lehmann Maupin is pleased to announce Portal, Brazilian artists OSGEMEOS’ second solo exhibition with the gallery in New York. Twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo will present a new body of paintings that delve further into their fantasy/dream world by exploring themes related to mysticism and science fiction. Utilizing repeated geometric motifs reminiscent of temple architecture and abstract patterns similar to those in Op Art, this exhibition will offer a heightened, multi-sensory experience that embraces the power of human imagination and the vast possibilities inherent in visually interpreting the subconscious.

OSGEMEOS began their careers during the 1980s as graffiti artists, making their mark on the streets of the São Paulo neighborhood of Cambuci. They have since become internationally known for their distinct figurative style that features long-limbed yellow characters with thin outlines, enlarged faces, and simplified features, as well as their use of vibrant colors and elaborate patterns. Initially influenced by the New York graffiti and hip hop movements of the 1980s and the ingenuity and resourcefulness evident in their working class neighborhood, OSGEMEOS decided to make public work that was accessible to all. Unlike the popular Brazilian art movements at the time―conceptual, minimalist, and concrete art―that spoke primarily to the elite, engaging in public art allowed the artists to contribute a sense of optimism in their community. In 1993, following a studio visit with the prominent San Francisco-based artist Barry McGee, the twins developed a rigorous studio practice and began creating smaller paintings and objects while continuing to produce large-scale murals that could reach a wider audience. This has allowed them to navigate all facets of the artworld, from the commercial, to the institutional, to the public. OSGEMEOS’ practice continues to be marked by a commitment to the accessibility of art and to exposing the complicated realities of the working class while simultaneously celebrating its resilience.