Antonio Obá's Artistic Journey from Ceilândia to International Recognition

Antonio Obá, born in 1983 in Ceilândia, Distrito Federal, has developed a practice deeply rooted in personal memory and Black Brazilian experience. His exhibition 'Revoada' at the newly inaugurated Pinacoteca Contemporânea in São Paulo in June 2023 featured suspended plaster hands cast from children and youth, evoking themes of freedom and trauma. Obá's work frequently references historical injustices, such as the 1964 Saint Augustine, Florida protest and the 1930 lynching memorialized in Billie Holiday's 'Strange Fruit.' His artistic formation included studying visual arts at UNB and participating in the Centro Cultural Elefante, founded by Flavia Gimenes and Matias Mesquita. Since his first solo exhibition at Mendes Wood DM in 2016, Obá has shown internationally, including at the 12th Liverpool Biennale in 2023. His works are held in major collections like the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo and the Pérez Art Museum Miami. He is preparing a new exhibition for late 2023 at Mendes Wood DM's São Paulo gallery.