PretaAtitude Showcases Afro-Brazilian Art in São Paulo Despite Crowded Display

The exhibition PretaAtitude, curated by artist Claudinei Roberto, has arrived in São Paulo at Sesc Vila Mariana after previous showings in Ribeirão Preto and São Carlos since 2018. Featuring 14 artists, the presentation is criticized for overcrowding the limited space with too many works, which hinders individual appreciation. However, it successfully highlights the diverse artistic paths of Afro-descendant production in São Paulo, where most represented artists were born or reside. The show includes powerful works by Rosana Paulino and the late Sidney Amaral, who integrate personal histories with collective Afro-Brazilian narratives. Janaina Barros's delicate collages and embroideries offer fine irony, while André Ricardo explores painting with references to recent São Paulo painters like Marco Giannotti, Paulo Pasta, and Fábio Miguez. Washington Silveira's pieces address brutalized daily life. Despite spatial issues, the exhibition underscores the variety and potency of younger Afro-Brazilian production, moving beyond explicit diaspora trauma to broader artistic expressions.