Chico da Silva's Complex Legacy and Contemporary Brazilian Art Exhibitions

artist · 2026-04-23

This piece explores the legacy of Brazilian artist Chico da Silva (1922-1923), whose artistic journey began in Praia Formosa, Fortaleza. He was introduced to gouache by Swiss artist Jean Pierre Chabloz, which led to his involvement in national salons and the 1966 Venice Biennale. However, Chabloz later criticized the Escola do Pirambu, which Chico founded, declaring his 'artistic death' in Jornal do Brasil. Chico passed away in poverty in 1985, having created a unique cosmology rich in Amazonian and indigenous themes. Currently, his work is undergoing a commercial reassessment. The article highlights ongoing exhibitions in Brazil, such as 'Barracas e fachadas do nordeste' (Jan 30-May 30) and 'Greve Negra Já!' (Feb 24-Apr 26), among others until August 2023.

Key facts

Chico da Silva was born between 1922 and 1923 to Minervina Félis de Lima and an indigenous Peruvian father in Acre.
Jean Pierre Chabloz promoted Chico da Silva's work nationally and secured his participation in the 1966 Venice Biennale.
Chabloz later accused Chico da Silva of losing artistic authenticity due to the collaborative Escola do Pirambu.
Chico da Silva died in poverty in 1985, but his work is now experiencing commercial speculation.
The mouth is a constant element in Chico da Silva's paintings, symbolizing various actions and transformations.
The 'Barracas e fachadas do nordeste' exhibition runs from January 30 to May 30, 2026, at Galeria Galatea Salvador.
The 'Greve Negra Já!' exhibition is curated by Renato Lopes and runs from February 24 to April 26, 2026.
The Frestas Triennial 'do caminho um rezo' features 188 works, including 26 commissioned pieces, until August 16, 2026.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Galeria Galatea Salvador
Nara Roesler
Museu de Arte do Espírito Santo (MAES)
Movimento Grevista Negro
Sesc Sorocaba
CAIXA Cultural São Paulo
Phi Projetos
Cinnamon
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil Belo Horizonte (CCBB BH)
Ateliê Marlene Barros
Ponto de Cultura Coletivo ZBM
Universidade de Aveiro
MASP
Silät
IMS - Instituto Moreira Salles
10x10 Photobooks
Biblioteca de Fotografia
Getty Research Institute
Museo Reina Sofía
Rijksmuseum
New York Public Library
Livraria da Travessa
Simões de Assis
Coleção Jorge M. Pérez
El Espacio 23
Galeria Estúdio Reverso
NND|Azeco
NONADA SP
DAN Galeria
SP-Arte
Casa de Cultura do Parque
Instituto de Cultura Contemporânea (ICCo)
Biblioteca Brasiliana Guita e José Mindlin - USP
Instituto Hercule Florence
Documenta Pantanal
BBM-USP
Centro Maria Antônia da USP
Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)
Galeria Nara Roesler - SP
Roesler Hotel
Fonte
Carmo Johnson Projects
Itaú Cultural
Ilê Asipá
Pina Luz
Centro de Pesquisa e Formação do Sesc
Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Midiateca Capixaba
Secretaria da Cultura (Secultes)
Fundo de Cultura do Estado do Espirito Santo (Funcultura)
Política Nacional Aldir Blanc (PNAB)
Ministério da Cultura (MINC)
Governo do Brasil
banco BV
Laranjinha
Banco Itaú
Império Russo

Locations

Fortaleza
Brazil
Ceará
Quixadá
Pirambu
Praia Formosa
Rio de Janeiro
Salvador
Bahia
Vitória
Espírito Santo
Sorocaba
São Paulo
Capela João de Camargo
Clube 28 de Setembro
Monumento Pelourinho
Monumento à Mãe Preta
Nova York
Tóquio
Mumbai
Pequim
Jacarta
Belo Horizonte
Minas Gerais
La Puntana
Argentina
Gran Chaco
Paraguai
Amazônia
Recife
Pernambuco
Olinda
Zona Leste paulistana
São Paulo-SP
Itu
Sala Almeida Jr.
Setor 5
Los Angeles
Madri
Amsterdã
Paris
Miami
EUA
Jardim Paulista
Vila Nova Conceição
Centro
Alto de Pinheiros
Porto Feliz
Mato Grosso
Grão-Pará
Pantanal
Cidade Universitária
Avenida Europa
Vila Madalena
Boaçava
Avenida Paulista
Bom Retiro
Bela Vista
Acre
Português
Algarve
Portugal
Recôncavo Baiano
Ilha de Itaparica
Santo Antônio da Patrulha
Rio Grande do Sul
Switzerland
Peru
Cameroon
Japan
England
France
Africa
Amazon
Tietê
Amazonas
Rio Guandu
Sertão mineiro
Swiss

Sources

ARTE!Brasileiros — 2023-03-24