Artist Julia Debasse participates in the 22nd edition of the Unifor Plástica Salon in Fortaleza (Ceará, Brazil), curated by Denise Mattar. The theme is “Elective Affinities: strategies for a changing world”. The exhibition brings together more than 60 works by 31 artists (from Ceará, with emotional connections to Ceará or crossed stories with the University of Fortaleza) and is split into seven groups with current and significant themes for the local cultural identity: African ancestry, indigenous people, gender issues, reviewing Northeastern traditions, urbanity, environmental warns and the importance of memory.
Debasse presents 2 large-scale paintings (200 x 165 cm) that point out a new cycle in her research. What links the two works is the relationship between fascination and terror that the masked characters invoke. Classic figures of Brazilian popular traditions, both the “bate-bolas” and “papangus” wander in groups, always equipped with noisy devices – balls or whips. Although typical of different regions and festivities ,the 2 paintings seek to merge both traditions. The other connecting point is the applied backgrounds that depict animal fluff and fur – the “bate-bola” displaying luxurious peacock feathers (worthy of the effort that revelers dedicate to making their costumes); and the papangu, made in an improvised and spooky way, displays the skin of the coral snake. The titles of the two works – “For being from my land that I am noble” and “For being from my people that I am rich” – evoke Brazilian poet Olavo Bilac, which underlines the artist’s interest in exalt popular culture.
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Info
22ª Unifor Plástica – 50th anniversary
Opening: 17 August 2023, 7 pm, at Espaço Diálogo
Free admission
Espaço Cultural Unifor
Av. Washington Soares, 1321 – Edson Queiroz, Fortaleza, CE
Tues to Fri, das 9 am – 7 pm
Sat and Sun, 12 – 6 pm
For more information, click here.
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Gallery
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- Por ser da minha gente que sou rico, 2023. Acrílica sobre tela [ Acrylic on canvas ]. 220 x 165 cm [ 86.61 x 64.96 in ]
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- Por ser da minha terra que sou nobre, 2023. Acrílica sobre tela [ Acrylic on canvas ]. 220 x 165 cm [ 86.61 x 64.96 in ]
