Zé Otavio

OLIMPIA, BRAZIL

Zé is a proof to the tradition that the biggest gift an artist can have is his eyes. To look outwards, recognize the other, extract enough of the outer world to compose his own interior portrait.

Born in Olímpia-SP, the artist has lived in London and São Paulo. Zé’s relationship with art began while drawing friends and live models in design school. After working for a while in studios, he found himself as a freelance illustrator. And are these strokes that you can see on the pages of the biggest magazines, editorials and prints in Brazil and around the world.

The artist Zé Otávio roams freely through themes and techniques. Colorful, chaotic, defiant, sexy, androgynous, provocative.

Featured Clients

Editora Abril, Editora Globo, Companhia das Letras, Penguin Classics, Hearst Magazines, Ideafixa, Lollapalooza, Itaú Cultural, O Estado de São Paulo, Folha de SP

Group Exhibitions
  • “Sketchbooks” at POP Gallery / Rojo ArtSpace SP
  • Moda Ilustrada – Estilo e Tendência | Olido Gallery SP
  • “Magioska” at Pop Gallery organized by Magenta Gallery
  • IlustraBrazil! China | The Foundry Gallery, Xangai
  • Fashion and Art | Alliance Française Sao Paulo
  • VANITAS 2012 / 2013 – PLUS Gallery / GO
  • CONTENDO ARTE – PLUS Gallery / GO
  • E(FEMME)RA – Urban Arts SP
  • lustraBrasil! 6, 7, 8, 9 e 10 SIB / Senac SP
  • SAO PAULO – Ornitorrinco Gallery SP
  • “Impressões Sonoras” FNAC / PLUS Gallery / GO
  • 2011 | IlustraBrazil! China | The Foundry Gallery, Xangai
Publications
  • Illustration Now! 5 – Taschen
  • Lürzer’s Archive 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide 14/15
  • Illustration Now! Fashion – Taschen
  • 1,000 Portrait Illustrations: Contemporary Illustration from Pencil to Digital
  • Sketchbook Experience: Zé Otavio

Visit Artist Website

Zé Otavio

Commission This Artist
Pioneers, Hidden Champions, Changemakers, and Underdog Lessons from China's Innovators

1 of 2

Bernadette Jiwa
Close and Resistant

1 of 7

New Times

1 of 6

Mr. Jimmy
Shazam

1 of 2

Charlie Starr / Blackberry Smoke
Charlie Starr / Blackberry Smoke

1 of 2

Hate Goes to Washington

1 of 10

Deep Fake News #1
Deep Fake News

1 of 3

Literatura 2018 #1
Editora Moderna

1 of 2

Fitness Mania #1
Fitness Mania

1 of 7

Future Of Small Bussiness #1
Future Of Small Bussiness

1 of 4

What is the Gestapo?
What is the Gestapo?
High Hitler #1
High Hitler

1 of 3

Jose Guilherme Merquior
Folha de São Paulo

1 of 3

Marriage And Money
Marriage And Money
Renaissance Woman
Renaissance Woman

1 of 2

Illustrissima
Jun Sakamoto

1 of 2

Winston Churchill
Churchill

1 of 2

Tim Burton

1 of 2

Kanye West

1 of 2

Caetano - Galindoa

1 of 2

Birds

1 of 11

Trump

1 of 2

Workout

1 of 4

Artist News

ZE OTAVIO | OLD SCHOOL | 2023 BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR WORLD MAGAZINE

Excited to share this great cover art by #lcmartist Zé Otavio for WORLD. This cover titled "Old School" is about…

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ZE OTAVIO | WILLA CATHER IS HAVING A MOMENT FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Find out why "At last, literary pioneer Willa Cather is having a moment" with #lcmartist Zé Otavio and The Washington…

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ZE OTAVIO | A CHAT WITH MICHAEL FARRIS FOR WORLD

It's time to chat with Michael Farris & #lcmartist Zé Otavio for WORLD Magazine. The article is a backstory on reflections…

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