The matter and its structure, forms of connection, fixation and support are concepts that attract Afonso Tostes’ interest. And it was from the 2000s that the artist initiated the research that came to guide his work: the three dimensions and their representation in space. It has been a coherent evolution since the beginning of his career, which already studied the organic structural forms in drawing and painting. Known for his large installations, Tostes rescues the preliminary histories of the materials, especially wood’s, exposes and transforms their narratives, according to a thoughtful reconstruction in the exhibition space, or even with the resignification of existent smaller objects, such as tools and work instruments.
Afonso Tostes studied Arts at the Escola Guignard (1980, Belo Horizonte/ Minas Gerais) and, later on, at the Parque Lage School of Visual Arts (1989 to 1994, Rio de Janeiro). Among his main solo shows are the ones presented at Sesc Pompeia (2019, São Paulo), Casa França Brasil (2013, Rio de Janeiro), Museu de Arte Moderna – MAM (2011, Rio de Janeiro), Museu de Arte Contemporânea – MAC Niterói (2009, Rio de Janeiro), Centro Cultural Maria Antônia (2003, São Paulo) and Centro Cultural São Paulo – CCSP (1996, São Paulo). Among the group exhibitions the highlights are Museu de Arte do Rio – MAR (2020, Rio de Janeiro), Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain (2019, Paris, France), National Museum of Chinese Art (2018, Beijing, China), Frestas Trienal Sesc (2014,Sorocaba), Instituto Tomie Ohtake (2010, São Paulo) and the 5th Mercosul Biennial (2005, Porto Alegre) he also participated in recent exhibitions in 2021 - Nosso Norte é o Sul, Galeria Gomide e Co (São Paulo/) and in 2022 Niemeyer Group Exhibition (São Paulo) and Arte Como Oferenda, Festival Artes dos Povos – MAM, ( Rio de Janeiro). His work is part of collections like MAM-RJ (Brazil), MAM-BA (Brazil), MAC Niterói (Brazil), Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain (France) and SESC Collection of Art (Brazil).