Rodrigo Franzão
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A Sky That Remembers You, 202636 x 72 in. -
La Fleur de Nice, 202624 x 24 x 2 in.
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Le Jardin de L'amour, 202624 x 24 x 2 in.
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Time Paused to Feel, 202636 x 72 in.
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Among The Mist, Memory Dances, 202518 x 24 x 2 in.
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Heart That Burns In The Wind, 202518 x 24 x 2 in.
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The Shadow of Silence, 202536 x 36 x 1 1/2 in.
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The Shape of Time, 202536 x 36 x 1 1/2 in.
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The Sound of the Ocean, 202536 x 48 in.
"Franzao’s practice intricately examines the relationship between form, texture, and color while emphasizing sustainability and environmental responsibility."
Rodrigo Franzão is a contemporary artist based in Nice, France, whose professional practice spans France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Brazil, with strong connections to New Orleans, New York, and São Paulo. His artistic practice focuses on textile art and mixed media, incorporating fabrics, acrylic paints, and eco-friendly paper to explore sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Franzão’s works create a dynamic interplay of light, shadow, color, and texture through carefully folded strips of paper and layered canvases. His distinctive constructions create a sense of movement and depth, often evoking the visual and spatial effects associated with kinetic art.
With a background in Literature and Arts, an MBA in Museology and Art History, and specializations in Psychopedagogy and Art Therapy, Franzão’s artistic practice is grounded in the exploration of forms, colors, textures, and their relationship to human perception. In 2019, he founded the virtual Museu Têxtil and the art magazine InTheArts, expanding his research, curatorial activities, and influence within the field of contemporary textile art.
Franzão’s extensive résumé includes participation in significant international exhibitions and biennials, notably the International Paper & Textile Art Biennial in 2024 at the Cultural Community Center GC Den Breughel in Haacht, Belgium, and the International Biennial on Textile Art – Fibremen 5 in 2015 in Scythia, Kherson, Ukraine.
His works are held in private collections across New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, London, Spain, Berlin, Portugal, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, as well as in notable public collections, including the University of North Alabama, the Robert Yahner Collection at The National Arts Club in New York, the Exhibition Center Museum of Odivelas in Lisbon, and the Museum of the Superior Court of Justice in Brasília.
Through his exhibitions and artistic practice, Franzão invites viewers to reflect on universal themes such as life, society, nature, and the relationship between opposing forces. His work brings together contrasting elements—light and shadow, structure and movement, fragility and permanence—through a distinctive visual language that transforms humble materials into immersive compositions.
"My work is a dialogue between materiality, light, and form, where I engage with the inherent properties of sustainable, FSC-certified German paper and acrylic paints to explore the delicate tension between nature and creation. This practice is not simply an aesthetic pursuit, but a testament to a philosophy that honors the environment while pushing the boundaries of visual perception.
Each piece begins with the meticulous folding and layering of pieces of paper, a process that establishes depth, texture, and movement, evoking a sense of kinetic energy within the static. The interplay of light and shadow that results from the physicality of the paper serves as a dynamic force, activating the work in response to its surrounding space. I seek to create a visual experience where the audience is invited to consider not only the composition but also the ephemeral nature of light itself.
The application of acrylic paint follows, where a refined monochromatic gradient is introduced. Dark to light transitions culminate in a concentrated point of white, simulating the nuanced flow of natural light as it shifts across the canvas. This gradient speaks to the fleeting nature of time, a theme that runs through my work, inviting contemplation on the cycles of change and renewal in both the natural world and human existence.
My commitment to sustainability extends beyond the surface, serving as a guiding principle in every phase of creation. The conscious use of eco-friendly materials reflects my deep respect for the planet, underscoring the belief that art should not only resonate in the present moment but contribute to a future in which beauty and responsibility coexist. In this way, my work becomes a celebration of balance—between art and environment, form and formlessness, permanence and impermanence."
- Rodrigo Franzão
Rodrigo Franzão (b. 1982) is a Brazilian contemporary artist renowned for his innovative exploration of textile and mixed media art. With a background in Literature, Arts, and Art History, Franzao’s practice intricately examines the relationship between form, texture, and color while emphasizing sustainability and environmental responsibility. His work incorporates eco-friendly materials, such as FSC-certified German paper and acrylic paints, highlighting his commitment to ethical artistic practices.
Franzão’s art features dynamic layers of folded paper and textures that evoke a sense of movement, offering viewers a tactile, immersive experience. Based in New Orleans, he has exhibited internationally in prestigious venues, including the International Paper & Textile Art Biennial (Belgium, 2024) and the International Biennial on Textile Art – Fibremen 5 (Ukraine, 2015). He is also a regular presence at major art fairs such as Art Miami (2024), Expo New York (2024), and Art Palm Beach (2025), and has participated in prominent auctions dedicated to noble causes, further cementing his role as a socially conscious artist, such as ART FOR LIFE for the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS in Chicago (2024) and VCPORA for Safeguarding the Heritage of the French Quarter in New Orleans (2023).
Franzão’s works are part of significant collections, including the University of North Alabama, the Robert Yahner Collection (Curator of The National Arts Club, New York), and the Museum of the Superior Court of Justice in Brasília. His solo exhibition The Soul of the Water (2023) at Jillian Mac Fine Arts in New Orleans, curated by Jill McGaughey, solidified his position in contemporary art. He also featured in ART NOW at Hearst Tower in Manhattan, curated by Betty Levin.
A thought leader in the textile art community, Franzão is the founder of Museu Têxtil, a virtual museum, and InTheArts, an art magazine dedicated to textile and mixed media practices. His curatorial projects, including Threads of Tomorrow (2024) and Textile Expressions (2023), continue to shape the future of contemporary textile art, reinforcing his status as an influential figure in the global art scene.
