Tecla Tofano

Tecla Tofano (1927 in Naples, Italy – 1995 in Caracas, Venezuela) A member of the cooperative Forma Veinte (Form Twenty), her works garnered wide acclaim, and she became known for her controversial, political, and feminist imagery.

Artwork

Two distinct phases characterize her oeuvre: from 1955 to 1963, Tofano worked in a more traditional vein, creating utilitarian objects with incised and textured surfaces; thereafter, she became unconcerned with her work's usefulness, instead creating uniquely expressive sculptures from clay.

Writing

Tofano wrote extensively as a columnist for the El Nacional newspaper in addition to several books, including Quién inventó la silla (Who Invented the Chair, 1968), Yo misma me presento (I Presented Myself, 1973), and Ni con el pétalo de una rosa (Not with Rose Petals, 1975).