OSGEMEOS

OSGEMEOS, also known as Os Gemeos or Os Gêmeos, which means "The Twins" in Portuguese, are identical twin street artists named Otavio Pandolfo and Gustavo Pandolfo. They were born in 1974 and began painting graffiti in 1987. Their artwork can be seen on streets and in galleries all around the world. The twins are known for their unique style and have become some of the most famous street artists today. Their work often features bright colors and playful characters, making it loved by many people.

Style

The artwork of OSGEMEOS is known for its dreamy, colorful style, often called "escapist fantasies." People say it looks like the dreamscapes of famous artists Hieronymus Bosch and M. C. Escher.

Their paintings often show characters with yellow skin, inspired by the twins' own dreams. Their work includes simple tags and big, detailed murals. They paint about families, life in São Paulo, and stories from Brazilian folklore. Their style mixes traditional hip hop ideas with Brazilian culture.^: 64

Influences

The twins began as breakdancers and later got into graffiti art. At first, their graffiti looked like the early pieces from New York City hip hop. It took some time before they added elements from Brazilian culture to their work.

They met a new artist named Barry McGee, also called Twist, who was from San Francisco Art Institute. He shared techniques and photos of American graffiti with them. Through him, they met Allen Benedikt and Caleb Neelon, who interviewed them for a magazine. This helped them become known to people outside of South America.

Notable public works

OSGEMEOS have created many public artworks in Brazil. In the early 2000s, they were invited to paint trains legally, which helped them gain recognition. They painted large murals, including one on Paulista Avenue and another for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Their artwork can also be found in Asia, Europe, and North America. In Mumbai, India, several of their pieces were still visible in 2016. In Europe, they painted murals in places like Heerlen, Netherlands, and London, UK. In North America, their first solo exhibition in the United States was in San Francisco, California, and they have also created murals in cities like Boston, Massachusetts, and Vancouver, Canada.

Fine art

OSGEMEOS have shown their art pieces around the world. These include paintings, sculptures, installations, drawings, and performance pieces.

In 2013, they worked with the luxury brand Louis Vuitton to create a scarf, together with artist Retna and Lady Aiko. In 2016, one of their artworks from 2009 was sold for more than $300,000. In Chelsea, New York, a picture of the twins was painted by Jorit Agoch for a street art program. You can see this portrait on Allen Street in Chelsea, NYC.

Exhibitions (selected)

OSGEMEOS have shown their artwork in many places around the world. Some of their exhibitions include shows in Zurich, Wuppertal, Osnabrück, Lisbon, Milano, and Boston. In 2024-2025, their work will be on display at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington DC, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution.

Films

OSGEMEOS appeared in the film Bomb It from 2007, directed by Jon Reiss.