"A Meeting of Excellence"

Why? Ayrton Senna Da Silva.

The Brazilian born Senna, one of the world's finest Formula One drivers, known as a "Monumental Genius" and "The Master of Monaco" has sped his way into BRUNI’s new Muse. Senna, beyond his exceptional driving skills, was one of the sport's most compelling personalities. Intensely introspective and extremely passionate, he used driving as a means for self-discovery, and racing as a metaphor for life.

BRUNI, who claims the crown amongst portrait painters in the world today, has contributed over 1,300 canvases of jazz greats to the globe. Her work, known nationally and internationally, has been acquired by four major museums, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. (a portrait of Duke Ellington).

BRUNI and Senna share plenty:

Both have pushed beyond time, logic, and reasonable explanation. In their quest for perfection, they’ve accelerated to places which defy dimension and limitation.

BRUNI and Senna were born in San Paulo, Brazil. Both share the infamous "Interlagos" racetrack as a ‘spring board’:

-Ayrton Senna, a three-time world champion of Formula One, went on to become the greatest driver in the history of motorsport, compared only to Grand Prix legend Juan Manuel Fangio. Senna was tragically killed while entering the high-speed Tamburello corner hitting the retaining wall at around 135 mph at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Italy on May 1^st, 1994 at age 34.

-BRUNI, transplanted from her native country Brazil, went on to become a major influence in portrait painting, deriving her skills mainly from intuition, and her love of speed, which she attributes to her early years at the racetrack of Interlagos. At the age of five she was put into Juan Manuel Fangio’s car, a close friend of her Father, who told Fangio: "Take her for a good ride!"

In the tributary portraits of Senna, BRUNI hopes to show what has been concealed beneath the yellow helmet…

Senna in Action by Mark Gray

BRUNI has invited her former protégé, Mark Gray, now a great sports painter, to participate in this homage. Gray will portray Senna in motion, in his cars, in movement, as she knows no one else can.