Cau Gomez: A Master of Brazilian Caricature and Illustration

Cláudio Antônio Gomes, known professionally as Cau Gomez, is a distinguished Brazilian illustrator and caricaturist born in 1972 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. He began his artistic career at 16, working for the Diário de Minas newspaper.

Gomez received formal art training at the Guignard School in Minas Gerais. Throughout his career, he has contributed to prominent Brazilian publications, including O Estado de São Paulo, Jornal do Brasil, Playboy, and O Pasquim. He currently resides in Salvador, Bahia, where he continues his work with the newspaper A Tarde. His talent has also reached international audiences through collaborations with the French magazine Courrier International.

Over the years, Gomez has garnered over 60 awards in both national and international competitions. Notably, in 1999, he was honored with the Troféu HQ Mix as Brazil’s best caricaturist. In 2020, he was among 109 cartoonists who received the Prêmio Vladimir Herzog in the “Prêmio Destaque Vladimir Herzog Continuado” category for their participation in the “Charge Continuada” movement. This initiative involved artists recreating a cartoon by Renato Aroeira, which had drawn governmental scrutiny for its portrayal of President Jair Bolsonaro in a manner associated with Nazism.

Gomez’s work is characterized by its insightful caricatures and cartoons, reflecting both Brazilian culture and global themes. His contributions have significantly enriched contemporary Brazilian illustration and caricature, earning him a respected place in the art community.

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