Christian Rosa

Christian Rosa is a Brazilian-born artist known for his abstract works created using materials such as charcoal, oil paint, resin, pencil, and large sculptures. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was raised in Vienna, Austria, where he studied under German artist Daniel Richter at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.

Rosa began exhibiting in Vienna in 2008 and gained recognition with solo shows in Berlin and London. His work has been featured in major international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale and the Brucennial in New York. He also participated in group shows like "Pangaea: New Art from Africa and Latin America" at the Saatchi Gallery.

Rosa's art is often associated with the "Zombie Formalism" movement, criticized for being derivative of abstract expressionism and linked to speculative investment trends. Beyond his artistic career, he has worked as an executive producer for a film and collaborated with skateboard brands.

In 2021, Rosa faced legal troubles when he was indicted in the U.S. on charges related to selling forged Raymond Pettibon paintings with fake authenticity certificates. He was arrested in Portugal and extradited to the U.S., but as of October 2023, his case remains unresolved. Additionally, he is facing charges in Austria for an incident involving a restaurateur from a decade prior.

Rosa's legal issues have drawn significant attention, including coverage in Vanity Fair.