Abdias Nascimento's Legacy Explored in Brazilian Exhibitions Through 2023

The Instituto Inhotim, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is currently presenting a series of rotating exhibitions dedicated to the works of Abdias Nascimento, which will run until December 2023. This display includes archival materials from his Teatro Experimental do Negro, established in the 1940s, with its inaugural production, 'The Emperor Jones,' debuting on 8 May 1945. Born in Franca, Nascimento experienced racial discrimination, which propelled him to champion militant Black autonomy through quilombismo. He launched the newspaper Quilombo, coordinated the 1o Congresso do Negro Brasileiro in 1950, and founded the Museu de Arte Negra. After starting his painting career in 1968, he created significant works during Brazil's dictatorship. Nascimento returned to Brazil in 1983, later serving as a federal deputy and senator, and received nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 and 2010.