Curated by Deri Andrade, Crossroads of Afro-Brazilian Art was conceived out of the Afro Project, a virtual platform in development since 2016 and that launched in 2020, which maps the work of around 300 artists across Brazil.
Exhibition View “Crossroads of Afro-Brazilian Art”, 2023-24. Photo: Estúdio em Obra / Courtesy of Tatu Cult
Still life study #1, Adriano Machado. Photography. Artist's collection
Born out of a long research process, Crossroads of Afro-Brazilian Art presented 150 paintings, photographs, sculptures, installations, videos and documents covering a variety of themes, on display at the Banco do Brasil Cultural Center (CCBB) in São Paulo. The wide-ranging exhibition extended from the pre-modern period to contemporary times, and discussed core themes around emblematic Black artists: Arthur Timótheo da Costa (Rio de Janeiro, 1882-1922), Lita Cerqueira (Salvador, 1952), Maria Auxiliadora (Campo Belo, 1935 – São Paulo, 1974), Mestre Didi (Salvador, 1917- 2013) and Rubem Valentim (Salvador, 1922- São Paulo, 1991).
“The purpose of the exhibition is a transversal and comprehensive dialogue on Afro-Brazilian artistic production in the country,” explains curator Deri Andrade, assistant curator at Instituto Inhotim and creator of the Afro Project platform (projetoafro.com) which maps and disseminates Black artists from Afro-Brazilian culture.
Participating artists include: Adriano Machado (Feira de Santana/BA), Ana Lira (Caruaru/PE), André Vargas (Cabo Frio/RJ), Andréa Hygino (Rio de Janeiro/RJ), Arthur Timótheo da Costa (Rio de Janeiro,/RJ), Augusto Leal (Simões Filho/BA), Castiel Vitorino Brasileiro (Vitória/ES), Davi Cavalcante (Aracaju/ SE), Éder Oliveira (Timboteua/PA), Elian Almeida (Duque de Caxias/RJ), Elidayana Alexandrino (Coremas/PB), Emanoel Araújo (Santo Amaro da Purificação/BA), Flávio Cerqueira (São Paulo/SP), Gê Viana (Santa Luzia/MA), Gleyson Borges (Maceió, AL), Guilherme Almeida (Salvador/BA), Guilhermina Augusti (São Paulo/SP), Gustavo Nazareno (Três Pontas/MG), Hariel Revignet (Goiânia/GO), Helô Sanvoy (Goiânia/GO), Josi (Itamarandiba/MG), Kika Carvalho (Vitória/ES), Lia Letícia (Viamão/RS), Lídia Lisboa (Guaíra/PR), Lita Cerqueira (Salvador/BA), Luna Bastos (Teresina/PI), Manauara Clandestina (Manaus/AM), Marcel Diogo (Belo Horizonte/MG), Marcela Bonfim (Porto Velho/RO), Marcus Deusdedit (Belo Horizonte/MG), Maria Auxiliadora (Campo Belo/MG), Matheus Ribs (Rio de Janeiro/RJ), Mauricio Igor (Belém/PA), Mestre Didi (Salvador/BA), Mika (Teresina/PI), Milena Ferreira (Salvador/BA), Mônica Ventura (São Paulo/SP), Moisés Patrício (São Paulo/SP), Mulambö (Saquarema/RJ), Natan Dias (Vitória/ES), Nay Jinknss (Belém/PA), Panmela Castro (Rio de Janeiro/RJ), Paty Wolff (Cacoal/RO), Pedra Silva (Fortaleza/CE), Pedro Neves (Imperatriz/MA), Priscila Rezende (Belo Horizonte/MG), Rafael Bqueer (Belém/PA), Renata Felinto (São Paulo/SP), Ros4 Luz (Gama/DF), Rubem Valentim (Salvador/BA), Sidney Amaral (São Paulo/SP), Silvana Mendes (São Luís/MA), Tercília dos Santos (Piratuba/SC), Thiago Costa (Bananeiras/PB), Tiago Sant’Ana (Santo Antônio de Jesus/BA), Ueliton Santana (Rio Branco/AC), Victor Fidelis (São Paulo/SP), Vitú de Souza (Belo Horizonte/MG), Washington Silvera (Curitiba/PR), William Lima (Will) (Belo Horizonte/MG), Yhuri Cruz (Rio de Janeiro/RJ).
Crossroads of Afro-Brazilian Art was on display until April 29, 2024, at CCBB São Paulo. It is now on display at CCBB Belo Horizonte until August 5, 2024.
Banco do Brasil Cultural Center – Belo Horizonte Praça da Liberdade, 450. Bairro Funcionários. Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil Open to the public Wednesday to Monday, 10m to 9pm.
bb.com.br/cultura
Os pardos também amam, 2021, Paty Wolff. Acrylic painting and drawing with a utility knife on cardboard. Artist's collection
Perigee (Self-portrait with full moon), 2021, Tiago Sant'Ana. Acrylic on canvas. Artist's collection
Sebastiana, 2023, Victor Fidelis. Acrylic on canvas. Kenni Kool Collection
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