Afro-Brazilian Art Examined Through Exhibitions, Historical Context, and Vernacular Architecture

exhibition · 2026-04-23

An in-depth analysis of Afro-Brazilian art confronts issues of systemic racism and overlooked narratives through various exhibitions. Notable among these is 'Barracas e fachadas do nordeste' at Galeria Galatea Salvador, featuring artists such as Montez Magno, Mari Ra, Zé di Cabeça, Fabio Miguez, and Adenor Gondim, under the curation of Tomás Toledo and Alana Silveira. Additionally, the 4th Frestas – Trienal de Artes, titled 'do caminho um rezo,' at Sesc Sorocaba, curated by Luciara Ribeiro, Naine Terena, and Khadyg Fares, presents 188 pieces reflecting Black, Indigenous, and marginalized perspectives. Other notable exhibitions include 'Mestre Didi' at Itaú Cultural, Lázaro Roberto's 'Zumví Arquivo Afro Fotográfico' at IMS Paulista, and 'Greve Negra Já!' by Luciano Feijão at MAES. The discussion highlights the necessity for a decolonized approach to art history that acknowledges Afro-Brazilian influences.

Key facts

The article analyzes Afro-Brazilian art within Brazil's history of structural racism and slavery.
Multiple current exhibitions focus on Afro-Brazilian and vernacular themes, including shows in Salvador, Sorocaba, São Paulo, and Vitória.
The 'Barracas e fachadas do nordeste' exhibition runs from January 30 to May 30, 2026, at Galeria Galatea Salvador.
Frestas – Trienal de Artes 'do caminho um rezo' is on view from February 27 to August 16, 2026, at Sesc Sorocaba.
The 'Mestre Didi' exhibition at Itaú Cultural is scheduled from April 8 to July 5, 2026.
Lázaro Roberto's 'Zumví Arquivo Afro Fotográfico' at IMS Paulista runs from March 28 to August 23, 2026.
Luciano Feijão's 'Greve Negra Já!' at MAES in Vitória is open from February 24 to April 26, 2026.
The text cites over 30 artists and numerous scholars, curators, and institutions central to the discourse on Afro-Brazilian art.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Galeria Galatea Salvador
Nara Roesler
Sesc Sorocaba
Itaú Cultural
IMS - Instituto Moreira Salles
Museu de Arte do Espírito Santo (MAES)
MASP — Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand
CAIXA Cultural São Paulo
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil Belo Horizonte (CCBB BH)
Janaina Torres Galeria
FAMA Museu
DAN Galeria
Casa de Cultura do Parque
Biblioteca Brasiliana Guita e José Mindlin - USP
Simões de Assis
NONADA SP
Fonte
Carmo Johnson Projects
Pina Luz
Centro de Pesquisa e Formação do Sesc
10×10 Photobooks
Getty Research Institute
Museo Reina Sofía
Rijksmuseum
New York Public Library
Instituto Hercule Florence
Documenta Pantanal
Centro Maria Antônia da USP
Ilê Asipá
Ateliê Marlene Barros
Coletivo ZBM
Movimento Grevista Negro
Silät
Coleção Jorge M. Pérez
El Espacio 23
Phi Projetos
Cinnamon
Secretaria da Cultura (Secultes)
Fundo de Cultura do Estado do Espirito Santo (Funcultura)
Ministério da Cultura (MINC)
Política Nacional Aldir Blanc (PNAB)
Midiateca Capixaba
Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)
Instituto de Cultura Contemporânea (ICCo)
Lei Rouanet

Locations

Salvador
Brazil
Bahia
Sorocaba
São Paulo
Vitória
Espírito Santo
Belo Horizonte
Minas Gerais
Itu
Porto Feliz
Mato Grosso
Grão-Pará
Recife
Pernambuco
Olinda
Rio de Janeiro
Nova York
United States
Tóquio
Japan
Mumbai
India
Pequim
China
Jacarta
Indonesia
La Puntana
Argentina
Gran Chaco
Paraguay
Aveiro
Portugal
Santiago
Miami
Los Angeles
Madri
Spain
Amsterdã
Netherlands
Algarve
Santo Antônio da Patrulha
Rio Grande do Sul
Campo Grande
Mato Grosso do Sul
Ipojuca
Fortaleza
Ceará
Macáubas

Sources

ARTE!Brasileiros — 2020-12-19