A sumptuous selection of artworks by Brazilian street artists is currently on exhibit at the historic Andrew Freedman Home in the Bronx. This past Sunday, we had the opportunity to speak to the lovely Larissa Ferreira, one of the exhibit’s curators.
What an exhilarating exhibit! What inspired it? Any significance to its timing — as it opened on March 26th?
It is an homage to Brazil’s rich street art and graffiti tradition. And, yes, the date is significant! Brazil’s “National Day of Graffiti” on March 27th was established in 1987 after the death of the artist Alex Vallauri (1949-1987), one of the pioneers of contemporary urban art in the country.
What, exactly, was your role in producing this exhibit?
I curated it in collaboration with Ligia Coelho Martins of Duetto Arts and Roberta Prado of Urban Walls Brazil in partnership with Andrew Freedman Home and CUFA – Central Única das Favelas.
How many of these artists are currently based in NYC?
Just three: Henrique Beloitti, Fefa Românova and Camila Crivelenti. The others are based in Brazil, but several will be traveling here to NYC in the months ahead.
What — would you say — is the mission of Synopsis of an Urban Memoir?
In recent months, we have witnessed the disappearance of art on the streets of my hometown, São Paulo. This exhibit is our way of paying homage to urban art as an artistic and social movement.
What were some of a the challenges involved in producing an exhibit of this nature?
Finding the right site for the exhibition and selecting the artists.
How did you go about selecting the artists?
With difficulty! We originally wanted to include 10-13 artists. We ended up showcasing the words of 19: Alto*Contraste, Branco, Bugre, Camila Crivelenti, Ciro Schu, Combone, Criola, Fefa Românova, Goms, Henrique Beloitti, Ju Violeta, Júlio Vieira, Mag Magrela, Mateus Bailon, Panmela Castro, Pecci, Siss, Tikka and Vermelho. Each of these artists represents a distinct style and sensibility.
How did the opening of the show go?
It was wonderful! So much enthusiasm, spirit and great music!
How can folks see this exhibit? It’s a definite must-see!
It remains on exhibit here at the Andrew Freedman Home — 1125 Grand Concourse, directly across from the Bronx Museum of the Arts — through April 14. Hours are: Mon – Thu, 9am – 7pm; Fri: 9am – 5pm and Sat: 10am – 5:30pm.
Images of artworks
1. Wide view of segment of the exhibit
2. Fefa Românova, The Return of the Wild Woman
3. Bugre, Family
4. Henrique Beloitti, Raios de Oya
5. Goms, Zoomorfia Urbana
6. Mateus Bailon, O Portador das Flores
7. Vermelho, Gula
8. Ciro Schu, from Circuit Series
Photo credits: 1, 2 & 8 Houda Lazrak, 3-7, Lois Stavsky; interview conducted by Lois Stavsky with Houda Lazrak and edited by Lois Stavsky
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