Rob Gonsalves (1959 - 2017) - photo 1

Rob Gonsalves

Rob Gonsalves was a Canadian artist celebrated for his unique approach to magical realism, a genre where magical elements blend into the mundane to reveal a deeper reality. Born in Toronto, Gonsalves had a profound interest in art from a young age, with a keen focus on architecture which later heavily influenced his artwork. He explored various media but is best known for his acrylic paintings on canvas that took 3-4 months to complete, each embodying an autobiographical, symbolic narrative that invited viewers into mesmerizing, alternative realities​​.

Gonsalves's art is recognized for its magical realism, blending the real with the fantastic in an uplifting manner, distinct from the often grim surrealism. His work, inspired by Rene Magritte, captures the beauty in shadows and light, portraying the world through an imaginative and romantic lens. He was meticulous in planning his paintings, spending a significant amount of time on preliminary sketches to ensure the illusions worked as envisioned​​. His notable works include "Sun Sets Sail," "Still Waters," and "Arboreal Office," each demonstrating his skill in creating mind-bending optical illusions that challenge the viewer's perception​​.

His contributions to art were recognized with the Governor General's Award in 2005 for his illustrations in the children's book "Imagine A Day." Sadly, Gonsalves's life came to a tragic end in 2017; however, his legacy continues through his impactful art and the efforts of his widow, Lise Carruthers, to preserve his work for future generations. Gonsalves's paintings are held in private collections worldwide, and his books, including "Imagine a Night" and "Imagine a World," continue to inspire with their magical narratives​​​​.

For collectors and enthusiasts keen on exploring Rob Gonsalves's enchanting world, updates and availability of his works can be found at dedicated art galleries and through his published books. To stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to Gonsalves's art, signing up for updates is highly recommended. This ensures you'll be among the first to know when new opportunities to acquire pieces of his magical realism arise.

Date and place of birt:10 july 1959, Toronto, Canada
Date and place of death:14 june 2017, Toronto, Canada
Nationality:Canada
Period of activity: XX, XXI century
Specialization:Painter
Genre:Allegory, Genre art, Landscape painting
Art style:Surrealism, Magic realism

Creators Canada

Stan Douglas (1960)
Stan Douglas
1960
Ron Bloore (1925 - 2009)
Ron Bloore
1925 - 2009
Charles Daudelin (1920 - 2001)
Charles Daudelin
1920 - 2001
Maud Lewis (1903 - 1970)
Maud Lewis
1903 - 1970
Iain Baxter (1936)
Iain Baxter
1936
Walter Joseph Phillips (1884 - 1963)
Walter Joseph Phillips
1884 - 1963
Betty Beaumont (1946)
Betty Beaumont
1946
William Paterson Ewen (1925 - 2002)
William Paterson Ewen
1925 - 2002
Forshaw Day (1831 - 1901)
Forshaw Day
1831 - 1901
Clarence Gagnon (1881 - 1942)
Clarence Gagnon
1881 - 1942
Brent Wadden (1979)
Brent Wadden
1979
David Rabinowitch (1943)
David Rabinowitch
1943
Jean-Yves Klein (1960)
Jean-Yves Klein
1960
David Brown Milne (1882 - 1953)
David Brown Milne
1882 - 1953
Rolph Scarlett (1889 - 1984)
Rolph Scarlett
1889 - 1984
Marcel Dzama (1974)
Marcel Dzama
1974

Creators Magic realism

Rene Crevel (1900 - 1935)
Rene Crevel
1900 - 1935
Heinrich Maria Davringhausen (1894 - 1970)
Heinrich Maria Davringhausen
1894 - 1970
Endre Balint (1914 - 1986)
Endre Balint
1914 - 1986
Yervand Kochar (1899 - 1979)
Yervand Kochar
1899 - 1979
Mariann Grunder (1926 - 2016)
Mariann Grunder
1926 - 2016
Martin Ziegelmüller (1935)
Martin Ziegelmüller
1935
Arshile Gorky (1904 - 1948)
Arshile Gorky
1904 - 1948
Albrecht Genin (1945 - 2013)
Albrecht Genin
1945 - 2013
Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963)
Jean Cocteau
1889 - 1963
Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898 - 1972)
Maurits Cornelis Escher
1898 - 1972
Otto Rodewald (1891 - 1960)
Otto Rodewald
1891 - 1960
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832 - 1898)
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson
1832 - 1898
Alexander Davidovich (Sacha) Zaliouk (1887 - 1971)
Alexander Davidovich (Sacha) Zaliouk
1887 - 1971
Tarō Okamoto (1911 - 1996)
Tarō Okamoto
1911 - 1996
François-Xavier Lalanne (1927 - 2008)
François-Xavier Lalanne
1927 - 2008
Tristan Tzara (1896 - 1963)
Tristan Tzara
1896 - 1963