Renato Araújo da Silva's 2016 PDF 'Arte afro-brasileira' critiques the construction of Afro-Brazilian art.

A review article examines 'Arte afro-brasileira: Altos e baixos de um conceito,' a 726-page critical exploration of Afro-Brazilian art by Renato Araújo da Silva, published in 2016. This work emerged from a seminar held at Pinacoteca de São Paulo, which Renato co-organized with Juliana Ribeiro and featured experts such as Marta Heloisa Leuba Salun, along with artists Janaina Barros, Rommulo Vieira Conceição, and Tiago Gualberto. Renato, a curator and historian specializing in African art and philosophy, organizes his analysis into nine sections, interweaving a timeline of contributions with humor, irony, and critical insights. He references both established and emerging scholars, including Nina Rodrigues and Gilberto Freyre, while using footnotes to present a counter-narrative. Released under Creative Commons, the publication sidesteps conventional publishing limitations, allowing for extensive content. The article contextualizes the work using Roland Barthes's theories about text versus work and the role of the scriptor, portraying Renato in that light. It emphasizes themes of miscegenation and racial identity, starting with an anecdote involving a Finnish visitor at Museu Afro Brasil in São Paulo.