Born to Romani immigrants in Toronto, Canada in 1959, Rob Gonsalves was raised in an environment full of artistic expression. As a child, Gonsalves drew from his imagination and from things around him, but by the time he was twelve years old, he had already begun focusing on what would one day make him famous: fantastical architecture. He continued these artistic endeavors as he studied architecture at the Ryerson Polytechnic Institute and the Ontario College of Art. After graduating, he began a full-time architect, although he also painted trompe l'oeil murals and theatre sets. Even with so much of his life dedicated to the pursuit of beauty in art and architecture, it wasn’t until he received enthusiastic encouragement at the 1990 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition that he began painting full-time.

As a teenager, a student, and an architect, Gonsalves studied perspective techniques and concepts of architecture, developing imaginary buildings full of life and mystery. As he grew older, Gonsalves refined his style and techniques and was influenced by artists such as Dalia, Tanguy, Magritte, and Escher; as a result, his work is often categorized as “Magic Realism” with hte twist of perspective illusions. His creations seem to bridge a gap between sleep and wakefulness; dreamy and almost surreal, they encourage the viewer to explore what seem to be illusions beyond the boundaries of daily life.

Gonsalves has exhibited his work all around the United States and his paintings and limited edition prints can be found in numerous private and corporate collections, including that of a US Senator, embassies, and numerous corporations. Gonsalves was also awarded the Governor General’s Award in 2005 in the “Children’s Literature – Illustration” category for his book, “Imagine a Day.”