Tio Tjay

Tio Tjay was an Indonesian painter who spent much of his life in Brazil. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in Chinese painting and calligraphy, with his artistic talent recognized early on. In 1967, he immigrated to Brazil with his family, later exhibiting his work across São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and Paraguay. Between 1971 and 1975, he lived in Manaus, where he formed close connections with local communities.

Tio Tjay developed a distinctive style that fused the bold, vibrant colors of Latin America with oriental aesthetics—creating works that reflected both the spirit of Indonesia and the exoticism of the Amazon.