Gustavo Novoa

Chilean/American, 1941-Present

Born in Santiago, Chile, Gustavo Novoa is a contemporary painter known for his distinct focus on wildlife and jungle scenes, often featuring animals in highly stylized, imagined environments. Originally trained in art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Santiago, Novoa began his career selling drawings on the streets of Paris in the early 1960s. His first solo exhibition took place in 1961 with support from the Chilean Embassy, followed by a second show in Lausanne the following year.

After relocating to New York in the mid-1960s, Novoa developed the visual language that would define his career: depictions of animals, lions, jaguars, parrots, and others, set against dense foliage and constructed landscapes. These compositions often include both predators and prey in a shared space, a recurring structure that reflects an interest in coexistence. His books Jungle Fables (1977) and Paradise Found (1997) combine paintings with short texts, further developing the narrative aspect of his work.

Since the early 1970s, Novoa has been represented by Wally Findlay Galleries and has exhibited widely in New York, Paris, Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, and Santiago. His work has appeared in solo exhibitions, group shows, and published collections, and he has contributed to conservation-focused causes throughout his career.