Chico Mendes (1944 - 1988)
“At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest. Now I realize I am fighting for humanity.” - Chico Mendes
Take a stroll through the Amazon with our newest Genius Series print, Chico! This adventurous print roars with rich greens, lush over-sized palm leaves, and exotic animals. Conveying nature and the wild, this safari-inspired print is named after Brazilian environmentalist, Chico Mendes.
Growing up in the jungle, Chico Mendes developed a love and respect for nature. From rubber tapping trees to campaigning for the preservation of the Amazon, Chico was a true conservation activist who made a difference in the environmental world, which unfortunately lead to his assassination in 1988. His hard work and dedication to the environment did not go unrecognized. A few of the many honors given in Chico's memory include: The Brazilian government declaring him "Patron of the Brazilian Environment," and the Chico Mendes Institute for Conservation of Biodiversity being named in his honor. Chico was a dedicated activist who gave his life for his work, and we're excited to now welcome him into the Hall of Genius.