Chilean Artist Found Dead on His Rio Masterpiece

RIO DE JANEIRO — The candy-colored steps of a staircase in Rio’s bohemian neighborhood of Lapa were the life work of Chilean artist Jorge Selaron and a symbol of his adopted city. On this gray, rainy Thursday, they became his memorial.

The painter, who turned the 215 steps into a kaleidoscope of brightly hued tiles from all over the world, transforming a dingy, urine-scented alley and stairs into a rambunctious 'tribute to the Brazilian people,' was found dead on his masterpiece.

Neighbors, friends and strangers alike were in shock over the death of a man who may have been born abroad, but whose open, carefree manner and riotous use of color came to represent the best of Rio. In 2005, the staircase became a city landmark and the artist was declared an honorary Carioca, as Rio residents are known.

'We can speak of Lapa before and after Selaron. He changed the face of Rio,' said Jocimar Batista de Jesus. The staircase project began in 1990, when Selaron, born in 1947, began tiling the steps and collecting old porcelain bathtubs to use as planters along the sides. Said Jesus:

'He had no resources, no support from the city. The neighbors helped as they could. I brought him tiles from my trips, from Spain, Holland, as I traveled. As it grew, people began to contribute, to send him tiles, to bring them to Rio when they came to visit.'

Selaron meant the work to last a lifetime. 'I will only end this mad and singular dream on the last day of my life,' he wrote on the wall.

FROM: "Artist Jorge Selaron found dead in Brazil on iconic, multi-colored steps bearing his name" by Associated Press, January 10, 2013.