Instituto Inhotim
In June of this year, I was invited to participate in an exhibition at Instituto Inhotim, a contemporary art museum located in the municipality of Brumadinho, Brazil. It was the second in a series of four temporary exhibitions, or “acts,” this one titled, "Dramas para negros e prólogo para brancos,” or, “Dramas for Blacks and Prologue for Whites.”
It will take two years (December 2021-2023,) for the four acts to be showcased at Inhotim, all under the collective title of, “Abdias Nascimento and Black Art Museum,” honoring the life of renowned Afro-Brazilian artist, activist, scholar, poet, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Abdias Nascimento (1914-2011.)
Abdias’ vision for this project began in 1950 when he began espousing the idea of “Museu de Arte Negra” a Black Arts Museum. Sadly, it was a vision never fully realized in the artist’s lifetime, but which he advanced through the founding of his Black Experimental Theater and the co-founding (with his wife, Elisa Larkin Nascimento) of the Afro-Brazilian Research and Studies (IPEAFRO.)
“Abdias Nascimento and Black Art Museum” is a joint undertaking between Instituto Inhotim and IPEAFRO. Within their commitment to this two-year project is a dedication to secure a permanent home for Museu de Arte Negra, just as Abdias envisioned.
So, what is my connection to all of this?
Abdias and I were connected in our art and our souls.
We first met in Brazil in the late 1990’s and bonded immediately. He not only became my mentor in the art world, he became one of my closest friends. His personal and professional support inspired me as an artist, and raised awareness of my paintings, which collectively provided connections and platforms through which to exhibit my work around the world.
Abdias also had a direct connection to my hometown of Buffalo, in that he lived here from 1967 until 1981, after being exiled by Brazil’s military regime. During those years, he taught and held the title of Professor Emeritus at the University at Buffalo, where he founded the Chair of African Cultures in the New World in the Center of Puerto Rican Studies.
My June return to Brazil to celebrate Abdias was an honor, heightened by the inclusion of my 1996 painting, " Crucifixion," in this second act dedicated to his legacy.
There are no words to truly express my emotions on the opening of this exhibition. So, instead, I share this brief video from that day, where everyone was guided into the museum by Brazilian musicians and singers.
This is a sacred tradition at Inhotim whenever an exhibit opens, and one I look forward to sharing at LeRoi: Living in Color, in honor and loving memory of my friend and mentor.
LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.