ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Asian-Brazilian Artists Challenge Stereotypes and Exclusion in Brazilian Art Scene

publication · 2026-04-23

The Brazilian art scene is grappling with the marginalization of Asian-Brazilian artists and the oversimplification of various Asian ethnicities. Artists such as Cyshimi, Shima, and Caroline Ricca Lee emphasize that these challenges existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic. Shima, who won the PIPA Prize in 2013, points out that Asian-Brazilians are often not acknowledged as part of "Brazilian art." In arte!brasileiros issue #51, Luciara Ribeiro raises questions about the implications of terms like "Afro-Brazilian" versus "Brazilian art." Caroline Ricca Lee critiques the colonial mindset that leads to the homogenization of Asian identities. Youssef Cherem attributes this issue to a lack of understanding in world cartography. Artists are calling for decolonial approaches and greater inclusion of diverse identities, with Dudu Tsuda and others highlighting the necessity for non-white leadership in art institutions to address structural racism.

Key facts

  • Asian-Brazilian artists face exclusion and stereotyping in the Brazilian art world.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated xenophobia, but artists state the issues are longstanding.
  • Shima, winner of the 2013 PIPA Prize, feels Asian-Brazilians are never seen as representatives of "Brazilian art."
  • Luciara Ribeiro's article in arte!brasileiros #51 questions the racialization of specific populations.
  • Caroline Ricca Lee argues homogenization of Asian ethnicities is a colonial practice leading to assimilation.
  • Juily Manghirmalani highlights the forgotten diversity within the Asian-Brazilian spectrum.
  • Youssef Cherem links stereotyping to a lack of popular geographical knowledge.
  • Artists Caroline Ricca Lee, Cyshimi, Alice Yura, and Singh Bean wrote a 2020 manifesto on decoloniality.
  • Dudu Tsuda describes the Brazilian art system as structurally racist and centered on whiteness.
  • Curator Yudi Rafael says independent initiatives are leading the discussion due to institutional lack.

Entities

Artists

  • Cyshimi
  • Shima
  • Caroline Ricca Lee
  • Juily Manghirmalani
  • Alice Yura
  • Singh Bean
  • Dudu Tsuda
  • Yudi Rafael

Institutions

  • arte!brasileiros
  • Prêmio PIPA
  • Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp)

Locations

  • Brazil
  • São Paulo

Sources