Documentary on Amélia Toledo's Boundary-Pushing Art Premieres in Brazil
The film 'Amelia Toledo: Lembrar de Não Esquecer' presents an exploration of the life and artistic contributions of Brazilian artist Amélia Toledo, who significantly impacted Brazilian Modernism and Neoconcretism for over fifty years. Born in São Paulo in 1926, Toledo passed away in Cotia in 2017. Featuring interviews and archival material, the documentary delves into her innovative approach that fused geometric abstraction with elements of nature. She received mentorship from prominent artists and served as an educator at several institutions, including the University of Brasília. After moving to Portugal following the 1964 military coup, she eventually returned to Brazil. Directed by Hélio Goldsztejn, the film debuted at the 49th São Paulo International Film Festival and was released in Brazilian theaters last week, with major exhibitions of her work scheduled for 2024.
Key facts
- The documentary 'Amelia Toledo: Lembrar de Não Esquecer' (Don't Forget to Remember) chronicles the life and work of Brazilian artist Amélia Toledo.
- Amélia Toledo was born in 1926 in São Paulo and died in 2017 in Cotia.
- Toledo expanded Brazilian Modernism and Neoconcretism through her work as sculptor, painter, draughtswoman, and educator.
- Her practice merged geometric abstraction with the natural world, using organic materials like crystals, shells, and stones.
- She studied under Anita Malfatti, Yoshiya Takaoka, Waldemar da Costa, and William Turnbull at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London.
- She taught at the University of Brasília and relocated to Portugal in 1965 after the military coup.
- Her work was featured in the 2024 exhibition at Mube and the 2017 'Radical Women' exhibition at the Hammer Museum.
- The film premiered at the 49th São Paulo International Film Festival and was theatrically released in Brazil.
- The documentary was directed by Hélio Goldsztejn, who also made a documentary on Tomie Ohtake.
- Galeria Nara Roesler will present Toledo's work at the Independent 20th Century fair in New York in September.
Entities
Artists
- Amélia Toledo
- Anita Malfatti
- Yoshiya Takaoka
- Waldemar da Costa
- William Turnbull
- João Batista Vilanova Artigas
- Hélio Oiticica
- Lygia Pape
- Tomie Ohtake
- Hélio Goldsztejn
- Daniel Roesler
Institutions
- University of Brasília
- Central School of Arts and Crafts
- Museu Brasileiro da Escultura e Ecologia (Mube)
- Hammer Museum
- Brooklyn Museum
- Pinacoteca de São Paulo
- Galeria Nara Roesler
- Independent 20th Century fair
- São Paulo International Film Festival
- Museum of Image and Sound
- Metrópolis
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Cotia
- London
- Portugal
- Rio de Janeiro
- Salvador
- Belo Horizonte
- New York