The ocean is the axis: curated by Igor Simoes

Rubem Valentim, Emblema-87, 1987. Courtesy of the estate of Rubem Valentim.

Mariane Ibrahim is pleased to announce, The Ocean is the Axis, a group exhibition curated by Igor Simões presenting work by Agrade Camíz, Rebeca Carapiá, Lidia Lisbôa, No Martins, Dalton Paula and Rubem Valentim.

The concept of an axis, like the ocean, defines a central line around which movement occurs. Embracing the ocean as the axis underscores the significance of the Atlantic, where diverse life forms have historically converged and continue to intersect. The Atlantic has served as a vital conduit for past and present lives, shaping artistic expressions that challenge conventional notions of art.

Rooted in salt, foam, and the memories of crossings both completed and incomplete, the ocean symbolizes a world marked by banishments, unfamiliar ports, and shifting currents. Within this context, art forms once relegated as exotic, naive, or primitive find recognition and resonance.

In this world defined by the Atlantic axis, one country in the south emerged as a prominent destination for those who forged and cultivated cultures: Brazil. Today, it stands as a beacon of Afro-diasporic influence, boasting the largest black population outside of Africa. Within its borders, diverse artistic languages have emerged, rooted in profound aesthetic and poetic sensibilities, crafted by artists who demonstrate a sophisticated mastery of the cultural legacies spanning Africa, the Americas, and, notably, Brazil. Undoubtedly, the art produced by black Brazilian artists takes center stage in many of these expressions. However, despite its significance, this art has often been absent in an international context.

The Ocean is the Axis seeks to address this oversight by presenting black Brazilian artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. Spanning different generations and poetic orientations, these artists create a mosaic of some of the various streams within Afro-Brazilian contemporary art, and illustrate a vibrant, multifaceted art that defies easy categorization.