From 6 September until 12 October, Mulambö presentd the exhibition “O Canto da Vila” at the Galeria do Lago, in the Museu da República (Rio de Janeiro). This show, making its debut in Rio, expands on the version displayed between June and July in Saquarema, the artist’s hometown, introducing new curatorial sections, previously unseen works, and a sensitive environment connecting territory, memory, and identity.
Curated by Isabel Portella, the exhibition offers an emotional immersion into the multiple symbolic layers of Mulambö’s life — between the sea, the home, dreams, and a reinvented city. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by devotional images of Our Lady of Nazaré and Iemanjá in the “Mothers” section, and discover the “Home” section, created especially for this version, featuring paintings inspired by saints, spiritual entities, and experiences from the house where he grew up and still maintains his studio.
“The Home section presents the house as a place of faith, protection, and memory. It is where it all began. The paintings are inspired by the stories I heard within this house and the saints and entities that accompany my family. It is like an emotional altar,” explains the artist.
In addition to devotional images, the exhibition introduces characters from an invented folklore in the “Dream” section, such as the ‘crab man’ and the ‘palm man’, while the “Flag” section gathers symbols of affection, sustenance, and spiritual strength in a subjective version of Saquarema. Other sections highlight his passion for the local football team (Body), his vital connection with the ocean (Sea), and the presence of animals, represented by the dog Guardião, a symbol of protection and passage.
For Mulambö, the dialogue between the intimacy of the home and the institutional space is central: “Bringing these personal elements into a museum is to assert: this is also art, this is also history. The exhibition becomes almost a territory, a space of affirmation.” Curator Isabel Portella emphasises: “The life that pulses in the waters of Saquarema also stirs those of Guanabara Bay. The Galeria do Lago aims to be this intimate space, embracing everything that moves his art, drives his life, and fuels his faith.”
As part of the ArtRio programme, the exhibition will offer a guided visit open to the public on 12 September, with the artist and curator present.
Mulambö, born in 1995 at Praia da Vila, Saquarema, uses symbols and everyday materials to reinvent popular narratives, exploring football, carnival, the beach, family, and local stories. His work has featured in major exhibitions at Inhotim, MASP, Museu de Arte do Rio, Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo, as well as international venues such as Haus der Kunst (Munich) and Homesession (Barcelona). His works are included in collections such as Pinacoteca, MAR, MAC Niterói, and Inhotim.
Info
O Canto da Vila, Mulambö
Where: Museu da República – Galeria do Lago (R. do Catete, 153, Catete, Rio de Janeiro)
Opening: 6 September, 2 pm
Guided visit: 12 September
Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (until 12 October)
Free admission | Suitable for all ages
The exhibition is organised by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Culture, and by the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, through the State Secretariat for Culture and Creative Economy, under the Aldir Blanc National Policy. It is co-produced by Fava Comunicação & Arte, with project coordinator Fabiana Gabriel, in partnership with belOlhar, producer Bel Tinoco.
