Zé Tarcísio, Renowned Fortaleza Artist, Dies at 84 With Public Farewell Today

Overview

• The death of Zé Tarcísio at age 84 was reported early Friday, January 9, after a hospitalization at Hospital de Messejana.
• A public wake is scheduled for Saturday at the Centro Dragão do Mar de Arte e Cultura starting at 10 a.m., with a cortege to Cemitério São João Batista at 3 p.m.
• Caixa Cultural Fortaleza is presenting “Zé Tarcísio – 6585,” a show of 65 works that remains on view through March 8, 2026.
• The Fortaleza-born artist worked across painting, sculpture and installations, beginning his career in 1960 at age 19.
• His trajectory included the 9th Bienal de São Paulo (1967) and representing Brazil in Paris (1971), with works in collections such as the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, MAC-CE and the Museu Histórico Nacional.