ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Acervo da Laje Gains Visibility for Peripheral Art Production in Multiple Exhibitions

exhibition · 2026-04-23

Founded in 2010 by Vilma Santos and José Eduardo Ferreira dos Santos, the Bahian project Acervo da Laje is currently showcased in five exhibitions, three of which are active. The collection resides in two residences and features hundreds of pieces contributed by artists, stemming from José Eduardo's doctoral study on Salvador's Subúrbio Ferroviário. It acts as a "space of artistic, cultural memory" for a community that constitutes roughly 10% of the city's populace. The website displays 611 artworks from 30 artists, with notable curators such as Ruth Noack and Marina Fokidis. Recent exhibitions include "Ensaios para o Museu das Origens" and "Dos Brasis." José Eduardo emphasizes that the Acervo does not engage in sales and functions without formal backing.

Key facts

  • Acervo da Laje is featured in five current exhibitions, with three still on view.
  • Founded in 2010 by Vilma Santos and José Eduardo Ferreira dos Santos in Salvador's Subúrbio Ferroviário.
  • The collection includes hundreds of works from 30 artists, accessible online.
  • It originated from a public health doctoral research project on the area's beauty.
  • Curators like Ruth Noack and Lisette Lagnado have engaged with the initiative.
  • A dedicated exhibition for artist César Bahia at MAR shows over 200 works (2010-2023).
  • The Acervo does not sell works and operates without formal institutional support.
  • It participated in the third Bienal da Bahia and the #Ocupa Lajes project in 2016 and 2018.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Locations

  • Salvador
  • Brazil
  • Bahia
  • Subúrbio Ferroviário
  • São João do Cabrito
  • Itacaranha
  • Kassel
  • São Paulo

Sources