Born in Brazil in 1946, Fernando de Jesus Oliveira (Ferjo) was raised in São Paulo, where his artistic skills were recognized early on. In 1974, the young artist was invited to attend the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts on an exchange program after being commissioned to produce a portrait of an American family. He trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, an institution long recognised for it’s tradition in realist painting and sculpture. Inspired by classical and contemporary art, Ferjo has developed a worldwide reputation for his dynamic and dreamlike compositions. As an artist, Ferjo has explored subjects ranging from realism to surrealism, and his artwork frequently alludes to legendary artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Rene Magritte, and others. His popular Surrealist paintings of fantastical and intricate interior spaces often feature homages to his artistic inspirations hanging on the walls.