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

Molly Bobak (1920 - 2014)
Molly Bobak
1920 - 2014
William Paterson Ewen (1925 - 2002)
William Paterson Ewen
1925 - 2002
Doris McCarthy (1910 - 2010)
Doris McCarthy
1910 - 2010
Robin Page (1932 - 2015)
Robin Page
1932 - 2015
Treffle Berthlaume (1803 - 1884)
Treffle Berthlaume
1803 - 1884
Terence Koh (1977)
Terence Koh
1977
Charles Wyatt Eaton (1849 - 1896)
Charles Wyatt Eaton
1849 - 1896
Bratsa Bonifacho (1937)
Bratsa Bonifacho
1937
Jack Bush (1909 - 1977)
Jack Bush
1909 - 1977
Yvon D'Anjou (1940)
Yvon D'Anjou
1940
Ernest Lawson (1873 - 1939)
Ernest Lawson
1873 - 1939
Mike Bayne (1977)
Mike Bayne
1977
Marc-Aurèle Fortin (1888 - 1970)
Marc-Aurèle Fortin
1888 - 1970
Walter Tandy Murch (1907 - 1967)
Walter Tandy Murch
1907 - 1967
Toni Onley (1928 - 2004)
Toni Onley
1928 - 2004
Greg Curnoe (1936 - 1992)
Greg Curnoe
1936 - 1992

Creators Magic realism

Bernd Damke (1939 - 2022)
Bernd Damke
1939 - 2022
Paul Nash (1889 - 1946)
Paul Nash
1889 - 1946
Wladyslaw Lopuszniak (1904 - 1995)
Wladyslaw Lopuszniak
1904 - 1995
Clovis Trouille (1889 - 1975)
Clovis Trouille
1889 - 1975
Josef Friedrich Limmer (1892 - 1967)
Josef Friedrich Limmer
1892 - 1967
Heinz Trökes (1913 - 1997)
Heinz Trökes
1913 - 1997
Wolfgang Mattheuer (1927 - 2004)
Wolfgang Mattheuer
1927 - 2004
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832 - 1898)
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson
1832 - 1898
Otto Wilhelm Sohn-Rethel (1877 - 1949)
Otto Wilhelm Sohn-Rethel
1877 - 1949
Boris Artzybasheff (1899 - 1965)
Boris Artzybasheff
1899 - 1965
Adolf Friedrich Bechly (1918 - 2005)
Adolf Friedrich Bechly
1918 - 2005
Herbert List (1903 - 1975)
Herbert List
1903 - 1975
Veronika Holcova (1973)
Veronika Holcova
1973
Enrico Baj (1924 - 2003)
Enrico Baj
1924 - 2003
Ernst Rudolf (Rudi) Baerwind (1910 - 1982)
Ernst Rudolf (Rudi) Baerwind
1910 - 1982
Victor Brauner (1903 - 1966)
Victor Brauner
1903 - 1966