Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1975
Lives and works in Sao Paulo, Brazil

"I do not have a theme the theme is the work, the work is the experience, the experience is not exactly just mine. sorry for that." (Adriano Costa) 

In his paintings, sculptures and installations, Adriano Costa often refers to art historical genres or movements. However, instead of merely quoting them, he combines these references with other symbolically charged objects which he finds in his immediate environment and everyday situations. Thus, he gives these items a new meaning. The materials – colorful letters and notes that he has collected over the years or worn colored fabric scraps – are consciously selected by him. Costa puts them together in various compositions and shapes and explores different styles and genres. Sometimes he seems to summon the pale still life by Giorgio Morandi, other works are similar to floor works by Carl Andre and sculptures of Russian Constructivism. Despite his cautious dealing with form, Costa is not making an attempt to hide the fragility of the materials. The final structures often appear to be on the verge of collapse. Nevertheless, it is not about a pure contrast of chaos and order, gray areas and bureaucracy or transition and duration in his work. In an improvised manner Costa articulates the different characters of Brazil's cultural "make-up" – a country"condemned to modernity," as the critic Mario Pedrosa once put it.

He has participated in numerous exhibitions, including “Tia Deth”, Emalin, London (2015); “Draw Flying Penis/Pussy Against Gentrification”, White Cubicle Toilet Gallery, London (2015); “Imagine Brazil”, Astrup Fearnley Museet, Oslo, Norway (2013/2014); “Correspondências”, Instituto Tomie Ohtake, Sao Paulo (2013); “Convite à Viagem”, Rumos Artes Visuais, Itaú Cultural, Sao Paulo (2012/2013); “April”, Sadie Coles HQ, London (2013); “Time Space Poker Face”, Be-Part, Waregen (2013) and “Mythologies”, Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris (2011). He had solo shows as “Mar Morto Provisório”, Galerie Krinzinger, Wien; “Crisis doesn’t matter if you love me”, Nuno Centeno, Porto; “Plantation”, Mendes Wood DM, Sao Paulo and Programa Anual de Exposições, Centro Cultural São Paulo, Sao Paulo.