Zezão, aka José Augusto Amaro Capela, began his quest to conquer the underworld with graffiti in São Paulo in the 90s. Inspired and motivated by the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Zezão believes that it is his right to depart from the well-trodden paths with his art and to explore new avenues. He has worked in sewerage systems, in drains, in the rubble of abandoned ruined buildings, in dilapidated blind alleys and dark spaces below. Through this, he draws attention to unseen and unknown cityscapes.
Zezão has since broadened his activities by taking everyday objects from the trash and by inventively assembling, painting, and creating a second life. Currently, Zezão creates wood collages by using found street objects, such as pieces of lumber used for barricades in São Paulo, or by creating artwork foundations through the use of old “treasures” like mirrors, trays, car doors, bedsteads…
