By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Following an inauguration event on Saturday, August 29th, the #AfroGrafiteiras exhibition will open to the public on September 1st. Remaining on display in Lapa’s Galeria Rio Scenarium (Rio Scenarium’s Gallery) through October 3rd, the free exhibition will feature works created by Afro-Brazilian women in Rio de Janeiro state that explore their perceptions of their positions in contemporary society.
#AfroGrafiteiras is a training program run by the NGO (non-governmental organization), NAMI Rede Feminista de Arte Urbana, with help from the Fundação Ford. The project encourages expression through urban art and promotes the role of Afro-Brazilian women in that medium.
For the project’s upcoming exhibition, women throughout the state of Rio de Janeiro were asked to think about black women’s roles in modern Brazilian society and to create artistic expressions of those thoughts.
After six months, numerous pieces of art were created. Eighteen of those pieces were then selected and curated by Rio de Janeiro social activist, urban artist, fine artist, and founder of NAMI, Panmela Castro.
The chosen pieces include paintings, photographs, videos, sculptures and installations by the artists: Amanda Barbosa, Angélica Menchini, Carla Felizardo, Ellen Alves, Gabriela Macena, Jennifer Borges, Joyce Fucci, Lu Brasil, Maiara Viana, Mariana Maia, Myllena Assumpção, Poema Eurístenes, Patrícia dos Santos, Rafaela Nascimento, Tainã Xavier, Tainá da Rocha, Viviane Laprovita and Ymaraz Rodriguez.
To learn more about #AfroGrafiteiras, the participating artists, the NAMI network, and additional projects and workshops, see the Rede Nami website.
What: #AfroGrafiteiras Exhibition
When: September 1st through October 3rd, Tuesdays through Saturdays 1PM to 7PM.
Where: Galeria Scenarium, Rua do Lavradio 15, Centro Antigo, Lapa
Entrance: FREE