Tadáskía explores ambivalence and syncretism in her Bienal de São Paulo installation
At the Bienal de São Paulo, Tadáskía, a Brazilian artist hailing from a Pentecostal family in Rio de Janeiro, showcases her debut book, Ave preta mística (2022). The publication includes pages featuring an abstract mural and is accompanied by three floor sculptures that reflect Afrobrazilian religious rituals. Her artistic endeavors encompass installations, drawing, and textiles, delving into themes of 'this-that' and localized alterity. Drawing inspiration from Jean de La Fontaine's fables, she emphasizes transformation. Her experiences as a trans woman shape her work, utilizing materials such as clay bricks, cattails, and copper wires, techniques learned from Gilson Plano. At Sé Galeria, she created wall paintings that reference purification rituals, employing dry pastel for the Bienal to highlight error and desire. The interview was conducted by Guilherme Teixeira.
Key facts
- Tadáskía is showing Ave preta mística Mystical Black Bird (2022) at the Bienal de São Paulo
- She was born into a Pentecostal Christian family on the periphery of Rio de Janeiro
- Her work includes installations, drawing, bookmaking, textiles, and photography
- Ave preta mística features a looseleaf book pasted on a mural with three floor sculptures
- She uses materials like bamboo, straw, cattail, and face powder suggestive of Afrobrazilian religion
- She identifies as a trans woman and explores harmonic contradictions from her religious upbringing
- She previously exhibited at Sé Galeria in São Paulo with charcoal and olive oil wall paintings
- The interview was conducted by Guilherme Teixeira, a writer and curator from São Paulo
Entities
Artists
- Tadáskía
- Guilherme Teixeira
- Jean de La Fontaine
- Gilson Plano
- Elenice Guarani
- Gracilene Guarani
Institutions
- Bienal de São Paulo
- Sé Galeria
Locations
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
- São Paulo