Mestre Didi: The Afro-Brazilian Artist Who Bridged Candomblé and Contemporary Art

Mestre Didi, whose real name was Deoscóredes Maximiliano dos Santos, was born on December 2, 1917, in Salvador, Bahia, and passed away in 2013. As a master of capoeira, he was also a writer, sculptor, painter, and a high priest of Candomblé, having begun his journey into Egungun worship at the age of eight. In 1980, he established the Ilê Asipá Society after being honored with the title Alapini in 1975. His artistic creations, which merge traditional methods with his unique perspective, embody elements of Candomblé and Umbanda. Didi's first solo exhibition occurred in 1964, and he took part in over 30 group exhibitions. His accolades include the Thomé de Souza Medal in 1995 and an honorary doctorate from UFBA in 1999. In 1946, he published a Yoruba-Portuguese dictionary and collaborated on five books with his spouse, Juana Elbein dos Santos.