Exploring Nature in Art with Miami-based Public Artist Ernesto Kunde

Prominent Miami-based artist Ernesto Kunde was born and raised on a farm in Paraíso do Sul, Brazil in 1973. In 1994, Kunde spent time in Germany learning agriculture and discovering his family roots. Upon returning to Brazil in 1995, he continued his work in agriculture and began his artistic journey by experimenting with works on paper: drawings and controlled coffee stains. In 2006, Kunde moved to Miami, where he found inspiration in the local environment and began his professional journey as an artist. He is a renowned South Florida public artist, best known for his mangroves, wild birds, crackled Deco architecture of Miami, and especially for his magnificent large scale tropical-inspired murals at The Sagamore Hotel South Beach and Norwegian Cruise Line’s terminal at PortMiami to name a few.

Kunde displays a keen eye for interpreting his tropical surroundings, the vital elements of Miami as a natural and urban biosphere are omnipresent in his work – appearing on canvas, linen, found wood and corrugated aluminum. Although mangroves and the South Florida tropical landscape remain the dominant subjects, he is constantly being influenced by his surroundings.

One of his most popular series was Nostalgia: A Tribute to Miami, that captures historic or iconic landmarks in Miami. Using canvas, linen, found wood, corrugated aluminum, and stainless steel, Kunde’s work centers on the tangled landscape of mangroves. “I interpret our tropical surroundings, trying to accentuate the vital elements of Miami as a natural and urban biosphere. Like a journalist or writer, I see it as my job to capture a moment in time, to reflect and preserve that moment in a way that accents its singular significance.”

“I try to highlight the ordinary in a way that makes people take a second look. How we adapt to our surroundings and how we influence our surroundings are questions that intrigue me. Mangroves, in particular, such a crucial component of our eco-system, are themselves incredibly adaptive. Using contrasting tones and the play of light, I aim to create both an appealing aesthetic and an engaging experience.” Kunde is involved in environmental organizations and projects, using his art to support and share the importance mangrove forests have within our ecosystem.

Ernesto Kunde’s work has been shown extensively throughout South Florida at museums such as the Boca Raton Museum of Art, Coral Gables Museum, Cornell Museum in Delray Beach, as well as numerous art galleries and venues such as, Miami-Dade College Kendall Gallery, Sardinas Gallery at St. Thomas University, the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, Arthouse 429 in West Palm Beach and the Little Haiti Cultural Center in Miami. The artist has been exhibiting his work since 2012 at galleries and art fairs, notably during Art Basel Miami Beach Week at fairs such as CONTEXT Art Miami, Scope Art Fair, Spectrum Miami, and Art Wynwood. Kunde has completed many successful art projects and has been featured in a variety of art and design publications within South Florida, the US and internationally. He is sought after to create unique commissions for high profile residential and commercial projects.

“More than anything, I am inspired by my surroundings,” says Ernesto. “I tend to notice details. The light and changing colors of the day and seasons affect my way of painting. I am also inspired by history, current events and moments in my own life.” Kunde infuses his work with highly saturated, contrasting tones with completely opaque shadow. Color gradients and differentials are just barely visible beneath intense layers of paint. He paints on a diverse range of surfaces, such as found wood, canvas, and steel. Kunde also creates sculptural works and suspended installations. He is best known for his large-scale murals, which can be seen at the Sagamore Hotel‘s exterior roof top (2025), and at the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Terminal, where the multi-story original masterpiece is inspired by Miami’s coveted mangroves, visible to all as it is showcased on NCL’s new state-of-the-art terminal at PortMiami (2022).

Residencies at the Bakehouse Art Complex (2012- 2015), Sedona Summer Colony (Summer 2016), and Franz Mayer of Munich, Germany (Fall 2016). In 2017/2018, Kunde was selected to create a public art installation at Live Like Bella Park (Miami); completed 2020. He lives and works on Miami Beach, his art studio is located in Miami’s Little Haiti district. Please contact the artist for custom installations, and to view Kunde’s current collections please view his website. To learn more about this fascinating artist, for sales information, commissions or general inquires:

For further information: www.kundeart.com
Follow Ernesto Kunde on Instagram @KundeArt