Thiago Rocha Pitta (b. 1980, Brazil) is an internationally recognised artist whose diverse practice often simultaneously depicts and interacts with the natural environment, distilling an ominous sense of longing and intrigue. The artist is particularly known for works that harness the forces and beauty of the outdoors to express the sublime energy of the world around us. These take the form of anything from photographic works that pay homage to master painters, such as J.M.W. Turner, to outdoor installations that absorb the decay that comes with the passage of time and the frescos that explore the elemental movements of water and fire.

Through varied mediums (watercolours, photographs, sculpture, and video), Rocha Pitta is driven by a preoccupation with the passage of time, often manipulating the pace of his work to confront his viewers with quiet, curious introspection and an open-ended sense of longing. The artist was nominated for PIPA in 2010 and 2011 and was a finalist in 2012. Rocha Pitta currently lives and works in São Paulo, Brazil.